


HISTORY 



-OF- 



SOUTHBRIDGE, MaSS. 



By Moses Plimpton. 




Class F?^ 



Book . fil^T; 



HISTOR Y 



OF 



SOUTHBRIDGE 



Moses Plimpton 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE SOUTHBRIDGE, MASS., LYCEUM, OR LITERARY 
ASSOCIATION, IN THREE LECTURES, MARCH, 1 836. 



SOTJTIIIJUIDGE: 

J O U It N A I. 8 I' E A M BOOK P R I N T. 

1882. 






/^V'T'i/ 



i 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



If anything of an adverse nature could 
be supposed to mingle with the gratifica- 
tion I have experienced in witnessing the 
lumsual interest which has been manifested 
by the inhabitants of the town, in attending 
the lectures of the past winter, it is a 
consciousness of my inability to discharge 
in a proper manner the obligation, into 
which I inadvertently entered. Feeling 
and acknowledging this, I make no other 
apology. 

It will probably be expected, that, in 
compliance with the custom established 
by those who have preceded me, I sliould 
announce the subject to which I propose to 
invite your attention. In doing this, I 
must take the liberty to say that, if I had 
succeeded agreeably to my wishes, I would 
venture to call it a History of Southbridge, 
but having found it extremely difficult to 
obtain materials, documents, etc .,in relation 
to that ijart which would be most interest- 
ing to all, I mean the first settlement and 
early progress of this place towards the 
state in which we now find it, I prefer that 
what I may offer this evening should be 
considered as a historical sketch of the 
early settlement of our country, with the 
growth and progress of towns in Massachu- 
setts, intending at the same time to pre- 
sent you with the best result I have, as yet, 
been able to obtain by inquiries and 
researches for the history of this town. 

It is probably well known to most of 
those who are present, that the first exist- 



ence of Southbridge, as a town, is of 
recent date. It was incorporated in 181(1. 
The territory of which it is composed was 
taken from the towns of Sturbridge, 
Charlton and Dudley and, of course, it is 
now bounded on the east by tlie latter 
town, north by Charlton, west by Stur- 
bridge, and south by Connecticut line, or 
Woodstock. Considerably more than half 
of the territory, and of the [population was 
taken from Sturbridge. 

It will be seen at once, that so far as 
ancient liistory is our object we can refer 
only to the history of our three jjarent 
towns; that is, in relation to all those facts 
concerning their municiijal and "other 
affairs of which they have public records. 
From these we can get but little informa- 
tion which will apply very definitely to 
those parts which now compose this town. 
The greatest difficulty, however, is not here. 
The public records of any town do not 
contain those facts and details, those 
apparently trifling matters, which are 
suffered to pass unnoticed at the time, but 
which truly exhibit and illustrate the 
character, manners and customs of the 
times, and the state of society, and to 
which posterity will always look back with 
the most lively interest. 

Had I undertaken this task ten or fifteen 
years since, there were those in existence 
who could readily have furnished almost, 
if not quite, all the information requisite 
to form a correct and valuable history of 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



everything material in tlie transactions of 
tliis place from tlie time the first wander- 
ers penetrated into the wilderness hither, 
to look out a place for themselves and 
their offspring. But alas! they have one 
by one been passing off the stage ; and thus 
we have suffered to be extinguished with- 
out using those lights by which we might 
have taken views of the past, where now 
all is dark and obscure. It is reflections of 
this nature, which more than a hope of 
entertaining an audience, have induced 
me to call attention to the subject of these 
remarks, and I would embrace this oppor- 
tunity to suggest for inquiry, whether there 
is not generally amongst us, an inexcusable 
deficiency in a knowledge of history, par- 
ticularly the history of our own country, I 
mean that kind of knowledge which is of 
any considerable value. In all our reading 
and study, do we not content ourselves 
with merely skimming the surface, uncon- 
scious of the rich treasures which lie be- 
neath and which a minute and careful 
examination would unfold to our view. 
There are in history as in everything else 
two entirely different kinds of knowledge ; 
the one superficial which can have but 
little impression on the mind, the other 
philosophical, critical, and which is calcu- 
lated to impart to the mental qualities of 
the individual, the true nature of the object 
or event on which it is exercised. Most of 
us, no doubt, have some vague and general 
notions of great leading events which have 
happened somewhere, at some time, and 
in which some distinguished persons were 
concerned, but how few can tell, how few 
indeed ever inquire, where, when, these 
events took place, and who were the dis- 
tinguished actors. IIow few, in short, 
trouble themselves about the particu- 
lars, places, times, dates, comparisons and 
connected views of all these. 

The ideas which led to these remarks 
were suggested to me by the discovery of 
their appropriate application to myself, 
and which was the first and most important 
fact I discovered in the course of the inves- 
tigations I have made on the subject of our 
history ; and it appeared to me so impor- 
tant, that I thought it might be of some 
use to others. 

By way of introduction, I must ask your 



attention to a very brief statement, in the 
order of time, of some of the principal 
events in the early history of our country, 
confining these mostly to Massachusetts; 
and I would urge the importance of attend- 
ing to the dates of these events. 

The first discovery of land, not before 
known to the eastern nations was made 
by Columbus in Oct. 1492, (344 years since.) 
This land was the West India islands near 
this continent. 

The continent was discovered by the 
same distinguished navigator in Aug. 1498, 
near the mouth of the river Orinoco in 
South America. 

In June 1497, the island of Newfoundland 
was discovered by John and Sebastian 
Cabot, who sailed from England ; and in 
the same year, soon after, these men whose 
names should be remembered discovered 
Canada, Nova Scotia, New England, and 
the southern states. 

In 1512, John Ponce de Leon discovered 
Florida; he was from Spain. 

In 1534, James Cartier was sent by the 
king of France, entered the gulf of Law- 
rence, and in 1535 he made another voyage 
and sailed up the river and visited Mon- 
treal, which was then the place of resort 
for all tlie Indians of Canada. 

These discoveries, by the several subjects 
of Great Britain, France and Spain, laid 
the foundations of the claims of those 
nations to the territory, and from these 
claims arose the wars, which from a short 
time after the settlement of our country by 
the English, till about the time of our 
revolution, at different periods, embroiled 
the early settlers, and caused great trouble, 
expense, and loss of lives. 

In 1541, the river Mississippi was discov- 
ered by Ferdinand de Soto, a Spaniard, 

In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh entered 
Pamlico sound, in North Carolina, and on 
his return to England the name of Virginia 
was given to the whole country by Queen 
Elizabeth. 

In 1002, Bartholomew Gosnold discov- 
ered the promontory at Cape Cod in Massa- 
chusetts. 

In 1607, the first permanent settlement 
was made in North America, at James- 
town in Virginia. 

In the year previous, April 10. IfiOG, 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



James I, king of England, made a division 
of what was then called Virginia, into two 
colonies ; both included they extended from 
the 84th to the 45th degrees of north lati- 
tude. The Southern colony he granted by 
letters patent to Sir Thomas Gates, Sir 
George Somcrs, and others under the name 
of the London company. The Northern, 
called the second colony, he granted to 
other persons, Thomas Hanham, Raleigh 
Gilbert, etc, by the name of the Plymouth 
company, (first grants.) 

In 1600, Henry Hudson, an Englishman, 
in the service of the Dutch East India 
company discovered Hudson's river and 
sailed along the coast from Cape Cod to 30 
degrees north latitude. This was the 
foundation of the Dutch claims to this 
part of the country. 

In 1614 (or 1613) the states general, or 
republic of Holland, granted to certain 
Dutch merchants a patent for an exclusive 
right to trade on the Hudson river, and 
they erected two forts, one at Albany the 
other at New York. This gave rise to con- 
tentions for authority, etc. , till 1064, when 
the country was subdued by England. 

In 1619, the first provincial legislation 
ever held in this country was convened at 
Jamestown; it consisted of delegates 
chosen by the people. 

In 1614, the celebrated Capt. John Smith 
who had formerly been out to Virginia 
and returned to England, sailed, with two 
ships to North Virginin, (or N. C.) and 
ranged the coast from Penobscot to Cape 
Cod, making a more minute discovery than 
had yet been done. He formed a map of 
the country, which on his return to Eng- 
land he presented to Prince Charles, who, 
being much pleased with Smith's descrip- 
tion, gave it the name of New England. 

In 1620, Dec. 22, the company of Puri- 
tans, 101 in number landed at Plymouth. 

In the same year, Nov. 3, King James I, 
by letters patent, incorporated the Duke of 
Lenox and others by the nanie of the 
"Council established at Plymouth (Eng- 
land,) in the country of Devon, for plant- 
ing, ruling, ordering and governing New 
England in America," and granted to them 
their successors, etc., all that part of 
America lying from 40 to 48 degrees north 
latitude, and extending east and west from 



sea to sea. This is the liasis of all the 
patents in New England under which 
the coimtry was settled. It had before, it 
will be recollected, been called North 
Virginia. 

In 1603 and 1606, Marten Pring, an Eng- 
lish navigator, visited the coast of Maine, 
and made some discoveries of its rivers 
and bays. A settlement w'as attempted in 
1(507 by the Plymouth company of England, 
but it did not succeed. 

In 1622, Sir Ferdinando Georges and 
Capt, Mason obtained from the council of 
Plymouth a grant of the territory lying 
between the rivers Merrimac and Sagada- 
hok, or Kennebec, and in the next j'ear, 
1623, commenced settlements at the mouth 
of the Pascataqua, and at Dover, which 
were the first in New Hampshire. 

The company which had settled at 
Plymouth in 1620 had no title when they 
landed ; they had obtained a patent from 
the South Virginia company and intended 
to settle near the mouth of the Hudson, 
but, when in sight of Sandy point, or Cape 
Malabar, in Chatham, or perhaps having 
passed on towards New York they were 
deterred by the dangerous shoals, the 
breakers and the stormy season from pro- 
ceeding, and returned round the point of 
the cape and landed at Plymouth, as be- 
fore stated. They were soon apprised of 
the grant to the council of Plymouth, which 
included the place where they had conclud- 
ed to settle. They, however, entered into 
negotiations for the purchase of the lands, 
and in 1627 obtained a patent for the same, 
with authority to establish a government. 

In 1627, March 19, Sir Henry Rosewell, 
Sir John Young, Thomas Southcott, .John 
Humphrey, John Endicott and Simon 
Whetcombe obtained from the council of 
Plymouth a grant of that part of New Eng- 
land lying three miles south of Charles 
river and three miles north of Merrimac 
river. In the next year, March 4, 1628, 
Charles I, king of England, granted and 
confirmed the same to the persons before 
mentioned, and their associates, being 
twenty others. And in this grant or 
charter powers of government were given 
them, by the name of the "Governor and 
company of the Massachusetts Bay in New 
England." This was to be the name of 



6 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBKIDGE. 



the company, including the persons to 
whom the grant waS now made, "and all 
such others as shall hereafter be admitted 
and made free of the company, etc, and 
they were to have one governor, one deputy 
governor and eighteen assistants of the 
same company to be from time to time 
constituted, elected, and chosen out of the 
freemen of the said company for the time 
being, etc., which said officers shall apply 
themselves to take care for the best dispos- 
ing and ordering of the general business 
and affairs of, for, and concerning the 
said lands, etc, and the plantation thereof, 
and the government of the people there." 
The governor, lieutenant governor and 
assistants were to hold and keep a court or 
assembly of themselves, for the better 
ordering and directing of their affairs once 
a month or oftener; and upon every last 
Wednesday in Hilary, Easter, Trinity, and 
Michas terms respectively, they were to 
hold one great, general and solemn assem- 
bly, to be styled and called the four great 
and general courts. At these great and 
general courts, "the governor or lieuten- 
ant govei'nor, and such of the assistants 
and freemen of said company as shall be 
present, or the greater number of them, so 
assembled, etc., shall have power to choose, 
nominate and appoint such and so many 
others as they shall think fit, and that shall 
be willing to accept the same, to be free- 
men of said company and body, etc. 
And on the last Wednesday in Easter 
term yearly the governor, deputy governor 
and assistants were to be newly chosen in 
tlie said general court by such greater part 
of the said company as should be present." 
Here we have the foundation for a 
colony in Massachusetts, and tlie origin of 
our state government. This last Wednes- 
day in Easter term, was what has ever been 
our "Election day," imtil the late altera- 
tion of the constitution, and indeed we are 
not yet disposed to give it up. It is, and 
probably will for a long time, be regarded 
as a holiday. 

The first settlement under this charter 
was made in 1(528 at Salem, by .John 
Endicott and about 100 others. In the 
next year Mr. Endicott was appointed 
governor, l)eing then in the colony, 
and abovit 300 others provided with cattle 



and other necessaries sailed from England, 
and arrived at Salem in June 1G29, but 
about 200 of these, not liking the situation 
of Salem went on to Charlestown. 

There had a few years before been some 
attemiDts at settlement in otlier places as 
Nantasket, Weymouth, Cape Ann, and 
Mount Wolliston, in Quincy; but they did 
not succeed. 

In the same year in which Endicott and 
others commenced at Salem, 1G28, John 
Winthrop, Isaac Johnson, 1 homas Goffe, 
Mr, Dudley, Mr. Craddocke, Sir Richard 
Saltonstall and others purchased of Rose- 
well and the company associated with him 
their rights in the patent. These people 
spent more than a year in England in 
making preparations to remove to their new 
country. At a kind of court holden Oct. 
20, 1629, they chose John Winthrop gover- 
nor, Thomas Dudley deputy governor; and 
the assistants according to the charter 
were then chosen, or at some time previ- 
ous. 

In the spring of 16.30 the governor, deputy 
governor, eleven assistants and about loCO 
persons of different trades and occupations 
sailed from England. There were 17 ves- 
sels employed in tlie transportation of this 
company. Four of the largest cleared the 
English Channel, and on Satiu'day, the 12th 
of July, they came to anchor in the harbor 
of Salem. On the Thursday of next week 
the governor and some of liis friends went 
to "the Massachusetts," as it was then 
called in distinction from Naumkeag or 
Salem "to find a place for their sitting 
down," to use the language of the governor. 
In a few days most of Gov. Winthrop' s 
party removed to the north side of Charles 
river, where Charlestown is now situated, 
and where a house had been erected for 
their accommodation by the Salem people 
under Endicott. This house, however, 
could shelter but a small part. Most of 
them lived in tents and booths. They 
suffered much from the scurvy and small 
pox, diseases contracted during the voyage, 
and for want of fresh food. A writer who 
was probably a witness observes: "Almost 
in every family lamentation, mourning and 
woe was heard ; it would assuredly have 
moved the most locked up affections to 
tears, no doubt, had they passed from one 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBPJDGE. 



hut to tlie other, and beheld the piteous 
case these people were in." The people at 
Salem were "very destitute, and planting 
time being past provision was not to be 
had for money." 

Gov. VVinthrop at first intended to estab- 
lish himself and his company about Cam- 
bridge, or somewhere on the river; — "but 
viewing the place, liked that plain neck," 
now Boston, the object being a suitable 
place for a capital. 

Here, in these events, the arrival of Gov, 
Winthroj) and his company and their "sit- 
ting down" at Boston we have the foundation 
of the settlement of Massachusetts, and, in 
particular, we here have the first principles 
of its government. The authority at Salem 
was soon in this; and in 1691, that of the 
Colony of Plymouth also. 

It was originally the intention of the 
company which obtained the grant under 
the name of the "Governor and Company 
of the Massachusetts Bay in New England," 
ihat the governor, etc., should be chosen in 
England, but, as if an over-ruling Provi- 
dence intended here to lay the founda- 
tion of that great event which we celebrate 
on the Fourth of Jiily, — the Independence 
of America, — on the 28th of July, 1629, the 
year before Winthrop and his associate left 
England, Mathew Cradock, who had been 
chosen governor, but who never came to 
this country, proposed to the company in 
England to transfer the government from 
the company in London to the inhabitants 
liere. The proposition was carried, which, 
as may be clearly seen by a close attention 
to the proceedings of the government and 
people of Massachusetts Bay, was the seed 
from which sprang "the spirit of '76." 
From 1684 to 1689 the first contest was had 
between the people here and the govern- 
ment of Great Britain. Upon the investi- 
gations of their enemies, a decision was 
obtained in the Court of Chancery in 
England that the colony had forfeited their 
charter, and that the government was 
henceforth to be placed in the hands of the 
king. The people did not willingly sub- 
mit, and when the governor that was ap- 
pointed to rule over New England (Ed- 
mund Andross) undertook his task, he did 
not find it a very pleasant business. In- 
stead of giving up their charter on his 



demand, the good people of Connecticut, 
while debating the matter in the evening, 
in presence of Andros, just blowed out their 
candles, and ran away with their charter 
and hid it in an oak tree, now standing, 
called the "charter oak," and in 1689 peo- 
ple of Boston caught this British governor 
and about 50 of his associates, and im- 
prisoned them. These measures had the 
effect to obtain a restoration of the char- 
ters and a reestablishment of the govern- 
ment in the colonies of New England. 

I mention these things because many 
have the erroneous impression that we 
were always under the ^immediate govern- 
ment of England until the Revolution. 

Let us go back then to the little colony 
which we left establishing themselves at 
Boston in 1629. Some account of the first 
proceedings, in matters of government, re- 
ligion, c%c., of those who were here laying 
the foundation of New England, would be 
undoubtedly interesting, but must be 
omitted. I am aware that I have already 
introduced much that may be considered 
foreign to the sul)ject to which your expec- 
tations have been directed, but I could not 
but view the connection between the set- 
tlement of towns in the interior and the 
first establishments along our coasts, and 
particularly that at Boston, as so important 
that a correct view of the one could not be 
given without a notice of tlie others. The 
towns of Massachusetts were settled under 
the authority of this "Governor and Com- 
pany of Massachusetts Bay in New Eng- 
land," and the Colony at Plymouth. The 
character of our ancestors, who settled here 
may be traced directly back to the charac- 
ters, manners, customs and institutions of 
those who commenced at these places. 
Among those who, from 1630 to 1646, ap- 
plied "to be made freemen," agreeable to a 
clause in the charter, which I have men- 
tioned, may be found those of the same 
name as many of the fii'st settlers here. 
These applicants were very numerous, and 
were increasing every year. The towns 
first settled were near Boston of course. In 
1632, about 3 years from the commence- 
ment, these towns had multiplied to eight 
or ten, — Salem, Charlcstown, Boston, Wa- 
tertown, Roxbury, Newton, Dorchester, 
Sagus, Cambridge, Medford. 



HISTOEY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



In 1634 "those in Newton complained 
for want of lan(f," especially meadow, and 
desired leave of court to look out either 
for enlargement or removal, which was 
granted. Whereupon, they sent men to see 
Agawam (Ipswich) and Merrimac, and 
gave out that they would remove." In 
this way the population extended, and in 
1651 the town of Medfield, in the county of 
Norfolk, was incorporated.* At this time 
the number of towns in Massachusetts had 
increased to 42. The settlements had not 
yet, however, extended into the County of 
Worcester. This was commenced, or 
rather the first town was incorporated, in 
1663. This town was Lancaster. There 
were probably in this, as in all the other 
towns, some settlements naade many years 
before the towns were incorporated, it be- 
ing generally required that there should be 
about 50 families, or householders, who 
might, for aught I know, be old bachelors, 
or at least young men living by themselves 
for many of the pioneers in all new settle- 
ments are under the necessity of enduring 
one or more years of "single blessedness," 
until they can clear away a little and make 
room and a shelter for some fair one, who 
will engage as a partner in their toils. 

A few of the first towns in the County of 
Worcester were incorporated in the follow- 
ing order, and it may be remarked generally 
that the settlements commenced from five 
to ten years before their corporation : 

Lancaster 1653, Mendon 1667, Brook- 
field 1673, Worcester 1684 t, Oxford, inclu- 
ding all of Charlton, 1683, Leicester 1721, 
Rutland 1713, Sutton 1715, Westboro 1717, 
Uxbridge 1727, Southborough 1727, Shrews- 
bury 1727, Lunenburgh 1728, Dudley 1731, 
Harvard 1732, Grafton 1735, Upton, 1735 
Hardwick 1738, Bolton 1738, Sturbridge 
1738. 

The town of C'harlton, as before men- 
tionedj originally belonged to Oxford, but 
was not settled, or but little, until after the 
adjacent towns of Sturbridge, Dudley, &c. 
On account of the proprietors of much of 
the land in Charlton living in England, or 

* Principal proprietors were from Dedham. 

t Error. Should be June 14,1722, Lincoln Hist. 
Worcester, p. 50. Tlie year (1681) is right. 
— M. P. 



having sold to those who neglected it, the 
titles became doubtful, which occasioned 
loss and difficulty to those who attempted 
to settle, or made purchases. These cir- 
cumstances retarded the settlement of the 
town, and it was not incorporated till 1754. 
Brimfield was incorporated in 1731, and 
Woodstock, which formerly belonged to 
this state, was settled some time previous 
to Sturbridge, in 1686. 

On the 2nd day of April, 1731, the County 
of Worcester was incorporated, consisting 
of the following towns and places: Wor- 
cester, Lancaster, Westborough, Shrews- 
bury, Southborough, Leicester, Rutland and 
Lunenburgh, — all in the County of Mid- 
dlesex; Mendon, Woodstock, Oxford, Sut- 
ton, including Hassanamisco, (Grafton) 
Uxbridge, and the land lately granted to 
several petitioners of Medfield (that is, 
Sturbridge), — all in the County of Suffolk, 
Brookfield, in the County of Hampshire, 
and the South town, laid out to the Nara- 
gansett soldiers, and all other lands lying 
within the said townships, with the inhabi- 
tants therein, &c., being 14 towns, and two 
tracts or plantations. 

This county, now the "heart of the com- 
monwealth," was, at the time of the incor- 
poration, considered a waste and almost' 
worthless tract of land, and the governor 
of the colony at that time strenuously 
opposed its being erected into a county, 
and stated that it could not probably ever 
make any figure. 

The same ideas more especially were en- 
tertained concerning the tract which now 
forms this town and Sturbridge. It had, 
at different times from 1723 to 1729, been 
visited by some of the hardy, industrious 
and enterprising inhabitants of some of the 
older towns, with a view to settling here, 
but the persons in authority, no doubt 
from motives of true parental regard, dis- 
countenanced the projects, and they were 
abandoned for the time. It was now from 
80 to 100 years since the settlement of the 
lower towns. Land had risen there in 
value, beyond the means of those young 
men who were multiplying around and fill- 
ing up the houses of their fathers. They 
could not provide themselves with farms ; 
agriculture was the only or principal busi- 
ness; labor was at a very low rale, being 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



9 



bill 6 (1. old tenor, or about 14 cents per 
day, in haying lime. Under these circum- 
stanQes and, notwithstanding the report of 
the first c6mmittee, sent from the general 
court to examine, — that the land was not 
worth settling,— it seems that a number of 
persons,principally from the towns of Med- 
field, Watertown, &c., determined to make 
a beginning here, in this broken, hilly 
country near the head of the Quinebaug; 
and, after obtaining a sufficient number of 
associates, they made formal application 
for a grant. 

Extracts from the old colony manuscript 
records : 

1725, June 1. — "A petition of several in- 
habitants of the town of Medfield and olher 
towns within the province, showing that 
there is a tract of province land lying be- 
tween the towns of Oxford, Brimfield and 
Brookfield, and the province line, which is 
capable of being made into a township, and 
upon which the petitioners are desirous to 
settle themselves or their children, and 
therefore praying a grant of the said land, 
under such reslrictions and regulations as 
to the court shall seem most proper and 
reasonable." 

The above petition was referred to the 
"May Session," which, of course, must 
have been the session of May, 1726. At the 
same time it was "ordered that John Chan- 
dler, * Esq., with two chairmen, under 
oath, be directed to suivey the lands pe- 
tioned for at the charge of the i)rovince,and 
return a plat thereof to this court at the 
said session," that is, the May session of 
1720. In the liroceedings of the court at 
that session I find nothing in relation to 
this petition, excepting that Mr. Chandler's 
account for surveying was presented and 
ordered to be paid ; from which I conclude 
that the petitioners had abandoned their 
project, or that they had encountered some 
obstacle, which induced them to delay it 
for a while. 

June 14, 1728, I find "A petition of sun- 
dry inhabitants of the town of Medfield 



* Col. Cliandler appears to liave tieen quite an 
important man, liavinff charge of the military 
operations of this part of the state in the Indian 
trouble. See Lincoln's Hist. Worcester, 5t, 52, 
63, 58, who afterwards proved a rank tory. and 
afterwards banished from the state.— E. D. P. 



and others, praying that a tract of land ly. 
ing, &c., (as described in the first petition) 
"may be granted to them for a township, the 
adjacent farm to be added thereto." What 
is meant by this "adjacent farm" I have 
not been able to ascertain, unless it was 
a tract wliich is frequently mentioned in 
some ancient deeds as the "Winthrop 
f^rm." Whether these petitioners were 
the same who applied in 1725 does not ap- 
pear, as the records contain no copy of the 
petition, nor any further mention of the 
names of the petitioners, a circumstance 
much to be regretted, as a better know- 
ledge of the projectors of a settlement at 
this place, could have been obtained from 
that list of names, than can now be had 
from any other source.* Two of these, 
however, appear in subsequent proceedings 
of the court. 

At this session, June, 1728, the following 
disposition was made: "In the house of 
representatives, read and ordered this peti- 
tion to be referred to the next fall session, 
and that, in the mean time. Col. Thaxter, 
Maj. Tileston, and Maj. Chandler be a 
committee to repair to the lands petitioned 
for, and described in the written plan, and 
that they view and well consider the value 
and circumstances of the said land and re- 
port their opinion of what the same may 
be worth, at said session." There is no 
action upon this petition at the "fall 
session," probably because the committee 
had not made their report. 

The subject is found, however, again 
brought up July 4, 1729, as follows. 

"A petition of William Ward, Esq., and 
Joshua Morse, in behalf of themselves and 
forty others, inhabitants of Medfield, etc., 
setting forth that whereas, already they 
have petitioned this court for a grant of 
land lying between Oxford, Brookfield, 
Brimfield and the province line the court 
was pleased to appoint a committee to 
value the same; that said committee re- 
ported their opinion that the said lands are 
worth 1000 pounds, (probably old tenor, or 
about 444 dollars) and forasmuch as many 
of the petitioners are destitute of [illegible] 

* At the time this was written the Proprie- 
tors' Records of Sturbridgo could not be found 
It has since been obtained, with the names of 
the first 50 proprietors. 



10 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



(probably settlements) and unable to pur- 
chase where land is scarce, and older, 
therefore praying that this court would 
encourage the settling this said land, and 
assign a purchase consideration as in their 
justice and wisdom they shall judge 
meet." 

In the house of representatives, "read 
and voted that the prayer of the petition 
be granted and that the petitioners and 
their associates, their heirs and assigns, 
shall have and enjoy the land petitioned 
for accordingly." 

It does not appear that any other con- 
sideration was required than complying 
with certain conditions, which were, that 
in seven years the applicants were to settle 
and have actually on the land fifty families, 
"each to build an house of eighteen feet 
square at least and to break and bring to 
fit for plowing, to be well stocked with 
English grass, seven acres of land, to settle 
a learned Orthodox minister and lay out to 
him an house lot equal to the other house 
lots," and they were not to sell out the 
lands except to actual settlers. Most of 
these petitioners probably lived in Medfield 
and the place was called "New Medfield" * 
by the proprietors. Some of tliem lived in 
the towns near, which had been settled a 
few years before. Some of them did not 
intend to remove hither, but joined in the 
petition merely to assist in obtaining the 
grant. These sold out their rights in the 
whole or a part of these rights, laid out in 
lots, to such as wished to settle upon them, 
not being at liberty as before observed, to 
sell to any except the actual settlers. 

As near as I can ascertain, the number 
of original proprietors was fifty, for I find 
in searching the old deeds, one in July 
1739, from Jonas Gleason of Boston to 
Moses Marcy one of the first settlers near 
this village as will be more particularly 
related, this expression: "All that my cei-- 
tain right of land in Sturbridge being the 
fiftieth part of said township with all and 
singular the profits, privileges and liberties 
whatsoever belonging or anything apper- 
taining unto me, the said Jonas Gleason 
being one of the petitionei's for said town- 

* It had before been called' Duiner, that Is 
Dummer, trom Lieut. Gov. Dummer. 



ship and therefore an original proprietor." 

This right was probably about four or 
five hundred acres and the consideration 
100 pounds current money. 

It may be proper here to remark that so 
far as I have had resource to public records 
and documents in making up this imper- 
fect sketch, I have necessarily been con- 
fined wholly to the town of Sturbridge. 
Our history in particular for many years in 
its early part is so identified with that 
of Sturbridge, and the first settlements in 
our part of Dudley and Charlton were so 
few, that the records of those two towns 
had they been accessible and consulted, 
would have shed but little light in matters 
of much importance. I have therefore 
deemed it sufficient for the purposes of 
this lecture and as the best and in many 
particulars tlie only means of ascertaining 
the origin and progress of the settlement 
of this town, to find and follow first the 
public track or records of the ipunicipal 
affairs of Sturbridge in their regular course, 
with the intention to add from tradition or 
other sources, such matters as will have a 
more particular application within our own 
limits. 

Let us then in imagination go back 
about 10() years and behold this place and 
all around us a wilderness. No sound of 
an axe had been heard; Quinebaug was 
almost hidden from view by tlie tall trees 
upon its borders, and no footsteps save 
those of the savage and of the wild beast 
had disturbed its waters. 

At this time, 1729, the petitioners as be- 
fore stated obtained their grant, and after 
two or three years the time probably neces- 
sary to make proper arrangements in 
surveying, laying out lots, marking trees, 
and determining where the right or portion 
of each was to be located, they begin in 
1731 and 2 to provide themselves with a 
good axe, a pack of clothes, a little Indian 
meal, a pound or two of powder with shot 
in proportion, a gun and perhaps a pot or 
kettle. Thus equipped they set out in the 
spring from old Medfield, Watertown and 
other towns adjoining to go on foot to visit 
their new farms and begin "a clearing." 
No female was to be there to cheer them 
around the kitchen fire after the toils of 
the day were ended, or even to cook a 



HISTOKY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



11 



johnny cake or make a mess of bean-por- 
ridge. The first years tliese sturdy lads 
were necessarily their own cooks, their 
oM'n companions if indeed tliey were not 
located so far from each other as to live in 
solitude. 

Leaving some of these incidents of these 
times for another occasion it may be re- 
marked that such was the state of things, 
until about 1735, when a few families had 
been established and these increased from 
time to time, till ITol, when according to 
tlie conditions of their grant as acknow- 
ledged to have been fulfdled in the act of 
incorporation, this little community of 
New Medfield could number fifty house- 
holders, "with each an house of eighteen 
feet square at least," and seven acres of 
land broke up and brought to, fit for 
ploughing. — Act of incorjioration, June 24, 
17o8. 

Note. — From Proprietors' Eecords, 
which could not be found when this was 
written, but were obtained by Rev. Joseph 
S. Clark for his ''Historical iSketch" of 
Sturbridge in 18o8. the following are the 
names of the petitioners and grantees of 
the tract of land: (42.) 

Melatiah Bourn, Esq., William Ward, 
Esq., Ezi'a Bourn, Shuball Learned, 
Nathan Fiske,J Henry Fiske,* Capt. 
Ebenezei' Learned, Nahum Ward, Gershom 
Keycs, Zerobabel Eager, John Sherman, 
Joseph Baker, * Jonas Haughton, Tliomas 
Gltjason, Moses Gleason, Jonas Gleason, 
Joshua Morse, t Joseph Plympton,t Na- 
thaniel S)nith,t Solomon Clark, t Timothy 
Hamant,t William Plympton,§ Ephraiin 
Partridge, Al)raliam Harding,! Moses Hard- 
ing,! Josiah Ellis,! Ezra Clarke,! David 
Ellis, Henry Adams, John Plimpton,! 
Capt. John Dwight, Capt. Jonathan Boy- 
den,! Capt. Joseph Clark,! Nathaniel 
Morse,! James Denison,* Joseph Marsh,! 
Peter Balch, Samuel Ellis,! Francis 
Moquet, Ichabud Harding,! Josiah Che- 
ney.! 

Among others, the following were ad- 
mitted as proprietors soon after the 
grant. Nehemiah Allen,* Moses Allen,* 
Seth Wight,* Uavid Morse,* Moses Marcy,* 
David Shumway,* John Harding,* Daniel 
Fiske.* 

* Actual settlers ; ! children or others of 
the name settlers ; t father of Henry and 
Daniel one of "Prince's subscribers"; 
§ probably father of William who went to 
Sturbridge. . 



Brief genealogy of Moses Marcy, Gers- 



hom Plimptom and Daniel Fiske all of 
Sturbridge, Mass. 

Moses Marcy was son of John of Wood- 
stock who d. there in Dec. 1673, "being 
upwards of sixty years of age," as stated 
in will, Suffolk county records. 

John, was probably a descendent of John 
of Charlestown, who d. 1041, son of John 
who d. 16;38. (Farmer.) 

The children of John, of Woodstock, as 
named in his will were, John, James, Ed- 
ward, Benjamin, Joseph,* Moses, Samuel, 
Ebenezer, Anne, Sarah and Elizabeth. 

! Moses, son of John of Woodstock, had 
b. in W. five ch. viz. : Dorothy, Jedediah, 
Martha, Moses and Elijah, ( Martha d. Sept. 
11, 1736) and near the borders of Oxford, 
(afterwards Charlton,) and of Sturbridge , 
all now in Southbridge, six ch., viz.: Pru- 
dence, (m. Wm. Plimpton,) Mary, (m. 
Erasmus Babbit,'!) Martha, (m. Gershom 
Plimptom,) Daniel, Marriam, (m. Gen. 
Timotliy Newell,) Mehitable, (m, Jona- 
than Newell of Leicester. ) 

Jedediah, s. of Moses, settled in Dudley 
and had with others, Jedediah, who m. 
Ruth Earned of Dudley and settled in 
Sturbridge at the place of his gr. father. 

Moses, now near the centre of South- 
bridge, Jedediah of Southbridge son of Jed- 
ediah of Dudley had b. in S. with others: 
William, (addition Earned by act of leg- 
islature,) b. Dec. 12, 1786, m. Dolly Newell, 
dr. Capt. Samuel Newell, and Susan Fiske, 
(dr. of Daniel Fiske) second, and present 

wife of Gov. Marcy, Knower, dr. of 

Benjamin Knower, Esq. of Albany, N. Y. 

Wm, L. Marcy was educated at Leicester 
academy and Brown University, settled in 
the practice of law at Troy, N. Y., was 
comptroller, judge of supreme court, Gov., 
senator in congress, and Sec'y of war. 



* Probably the "Joseph Marcy" with Capt. 
Stevens, killed at Charlestowu (No. 4 of N. H.) 
May 24, 1746 in a sally from a fort and conflict 
with Indians. Hoyt's ''Antiquarian Researches" 
P. 234 

t John Marcy of Woodstock was probably a 
descendant of John M. of Charlestawn, who (as 
in Farmer) d. 1641 and was son of Jonn who d. 
1638. 

t The author tixes the date of birth at about 
1700. Mr. Ammidown fixes the date April 18, 
1702, Vol. 1 page 31. 



12 



HISTOKY OF SOUTHBEIDGE. 



* Doc. Thomas Babbit, son of Erasmus, 
was a surgeon in the expedition to Algiers 
under Gen. Eaton in. Two of his sons 
were Lieuts. in the navy, Fitz Henry and 
Edward, another D. Oliver was surgeon or 
assistant. 

Erasmus Babbit, another son of Erasmus 
of Sturbridge was grandfather of Charlotte 
Cushman the actress. 



Gershom Plimpton, ancestors and de- 
scendants : 

John, from England about 1639, lived 
first at Koxbury and in Dedham, m. Jane 
Dummer, (or similar name) 1043. Freeman 
and member artillery company 1G43, had 
thirteen ch., four or five b. in Dedham, re- 
mainder in Medfield of which he was one 
of the first proprietors and an inhabitant 
about 1651. In 1677 in Deerfield, taken 
captive and burnt at the stake by Indians. 

Joseph, s of John above b. Oct. 7, 1653, 
Medfield, m. Mary Morse, had in M. four 
ch., d. 1702. 

Joseph, s. of Joseph above b. March 18, 
1677, Medfield, m. Priscilla Partridge, had 
in M. eight ch., d. 1740. 

William, s. Joseph above, b. 1700, Med- 
field, m. Kezia, dr. of John Dvvight of 
Medfield, had b. in M. eight ch,, d. about 
May 1770. 

Gershom, t s. of William above, b. Jan. 
14, 1733-4, Medfield, went to Sturbridge 
1753, m, Martha dr. of Col. Moses Marcy 
March 2, 1758, had b. in SLiirbridge eleven 
ch., d. Jan. 27, 1808. 

Gershom, s. of Gershom above, b. Feb. 
18, 1768 in Sturbridge, m. Kezia Fiske, dr. 
of Dea. Daniel Fiske of S.. Oct. 25, 1792, 
had b. in b. seven ch., d. April 1824. 

Moses, s. of Gershom above, b. Oct. 17, 
1/ 1793, Sturbridge, m. Edna Taylor, Nov. 22, 
1821, dr. of John Taylor of Sturbridge, and 
had b. in Southbridge seven ch. 

Daniel Fiske, Sturbridge, (one of first 
proprietors 1731-2. ) Son of Nathan Fiske, 
Watertown, b. Feb. 9, 1665, m. Sarah 

* See Savage Gen . Diet. Vol. Ill, page 447. 

t Gershom, son, and two brothers, William, 
jr. and Frederick, went from Medheld to Stur- 
bridge soon after the town was incorporated. 
Also Daniel ana James Plimpton from same 
town of another family but descendants of 
John P. 



Coolidge. Son of Nathan Fiske, Water- 
town, b. Oct, 17, 1642, m. Elizabeth. Son 
of Nathan Fiske, Watertown from England, 
b. 1042, m, Svisan. Son of Nathaniel, sup- 
posed to have emigrated but name not 
found in N. E. 

S. of Jeffery had a son, Nathaniel who 
took his family to N. E. S. of Robert son 
of Richard, m. Sibil Gold, four sons and 
one daughter,* lived in time of "Bloody 
Mary." S. of Richard of Laxfield, Suffolk 
county, England, about 1500, 

[In the manuscript a brace marked Eng- 
land is about the above paragraph, — En. 
JouK.] 

At the same general court in which the 
act of incorporation was granted it was 
"voted that Moses Marcy, one of the prin- 
cipal inhabitants of a new town erected in 
the county of Worcester at a plantation 
called New Medfield, by the name of Stur- 
bridge, be and hereby is fully authorised 
and empowered to assemble the free hold- 
ers and other qualified voters there as soon 
as may be in some convenient place in said 
town in order for their choosing a town 
clerk and all other town officers to stand 
till the anniversary meeting of said town 
in March next." 

Agreeable to this vote the first meeting 
was called Sept, 18, t at the "public meet- 
ing house," The officers chosen were: 

Moses Marcy, moderator. 

Daniel Fiske, town clerk, 

Daniel Fiske, Moses Marcy, Henry Fiske, 
selectmen, 

Daniel Fiske, treasurer. 

Joseph Smith, constable. 

Isaac Newell, clerk of the market. 

(The necessity for this office will not 
now be perceived. The office was left va- 
cant after a few meetings. ) 

Joseph Allen, fence viewer. 

Jonathan Perry, John Harding, survey- 
ors of highways, 

Joseph Hatch, James Johnson, hog- 
reeves. 

According to the custom in modern 
times these two last named officers must 

* The dr, ra. Bernard, whose dr. m. a 

Locke and was the mother of John Locke, 
Mass. His, Society, Vol, 10, third series, 

t Daniel Fiske of Cambridge svrveyed the 
town of Worcester, April, 1675. Was be not 
ancestor to Daniel here mentionod? E, D. P 
See Hist. Worcester page 11. 



HISTOKY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



13 



have been lately married as a necessary 
qualification. 

In February, 1739, a warrant was issued 
by the selectilien for the regular annual 
meeting to be held on the first Monday, 5th 
of March, "To elect and depute selectmen, 
constable and other town officers, etc., to 
furnish Mr. Rice's desk with a cushion, 
and to agree upon the granting such sum 
or sums of money as shall be judged need- 
ful for the benefit of and defraying all 
necessary charges arising within said 
town." 

Town officers chosen: Isaac Newell, 
Town Clerk; Mos«?s Marcy, Isaac Newell, 
Henry Fiske, Joseph C'heney, Daniel Fiske, 
Selectmen and Assessors; both offices be- 
ing associated. 

The town did not "fui-nish Mr. Rice's 
desk with a cushion." Surveyors of high- 
ways chosen at this meeting, Moses Marcy, 
Joseph Cheney, George Watkins, Edward 
Foster, John Streeter. 

So far as individuals are concerned, my 
inquiries have been confined mostly to 
those of the first settlers who resided with- 
in the limits of what is now Southbridge. 
But there are a few individuals who were 
not within these lines, of whom I may be 
excused for saying something. 

Joseph Smith, the first constable, is said 
to have been the first person who remained 
in Stnrbridge during a winter. It was the 
custom of those who first penetrated the 
wilderness, acting as pioneers in the work of 
settlement, to return to their native place 
in the fall and remain there during the 
winter. This Mr. Smith was the grand- 
father of the present Benjamin Smith of 
Stnrbridge. 

I am not informed where he on Brook- 
field road made a beginning. 

Daniel Fiske and Henry Fiske were the 
founders of what is called "Fiske Hill." 
They were originally from VVatertown, in 
this state, and were brothers. Their de- 
scendants are very nimierous in Stnrbridge 
and in this town. Five of the children of 
Daniel Fiske were settled in this town, viz., 
Mrs. Oliver Plimpton, Mrs. Joshua Hard- 
ing, Mrs. Samuel Newell, Mrs. (iershom 
Plimpton, Jr., and the late Maj. Samuel 
Fiske. 

Mr. Isaac Newell was father of f 'apt. 



Samuel Newell, now of this town. He lived 
at the place afterwards owned by Gen. 
Timothy Newell in Stnrbridge, near the 
tan-yard. 

In this year, 1739, the subject of roads 
came up, and the town by vote approved 
of a road laid out from the meeting-house 
to Brimfield, and also one from the meet- 
ing-house to the south part of the town. 
And it was voted, April 3rd, that the anni-. 
versary town meeting for choosing town 
officers, etc., shall be on the first Monday 
in March, which vote established a prece- 
dent ever since followed in that town and 
continued in Southbridge, 

It seems that, at that time, there was 
complaint ' 'that the commons were over- 
stocked with cattle" ; and an attempt was 
made to procure some action of the town to 
prevent it, but it did not succeed at first. 

In new places the making of roads is an 
important item in the public expenditures, 
and consequently requires large appropri- 
ations. The tax assessed for roads was £200, 
old tenor, to be paid in work and teams ; 
price 10 shillings for a man and ihe same 
for a yoke of oxen. 

The olher expenses of the town, except 
the minister tax of 110 pounds, were but 
little. The town voted to raise 2.5 pounds, 
"to be put into the treasury for the town's 
use." 

In Nov., 1739, a special meeting was noti- 
fied and held "to elect and depute two suita- 
ble persons to take care that there be no 
deer killed in this town, contrary to a late 
law." In those times it was important 
that this valuable animal should not be 
wantonly destroyed ; hence the law, and 
the office of Deer-reeves, to which have 
since been elected two of the aged citizens, 
long after the last remaining deer had fall- 
en before the deadly weapon of the himls- 
man, or had boimded far away in terror 
at the disappearance of the forest, which 
had given him shelter. The custom of 
choosing "deer-reeves," was continued, 
even in this town, until Avilhin a few years. 

This town, al the special meeting before 
mentioned, chose Joseph Cheney and 
Hinsdale Clark to be informed of all 
breaches of the deer law. 

There was some, partiality towards the 
wild animals; Mr John Streeter received 



14 



HISTORY OF SOUTHB RIDGE. 



two pounds for tivo ^^ikl cals' heads, which 
had their ears formally cut off and burnt, 
in presence of the constable and one of tlie 
selectmen. 

In March, 1740, James Dennison was clios- 
en one of the selectmen. He belonged in 
our limits, and is more particularly noticed 
in anotlier place. 

In Oct., 1740, the subject of a school 
was brought before the town, — that is, to 
see whetlier tlie town would "'come into 
measures to provide a school," but it was 
voted in tlie negative. 

I conclude from tliis that at tliat time 
tliere was no scliool, although by the fol- 
lowing law of the colony, tlien in force, it 
seems, if lliere were fifty house holders in 
town, they were bound to maintain a school. 
This law, being the first in this state and 
probably tlie second in any state or coun- 
try, requiring the public to support schools, 
and being the origin of our admirable 
system of schools may not be uninteresting 
in this place. I therefore exiract the prin- 
cipal provision: Sec. 1. — It being one chief 
project of Satan to keep men from the 
knowledge of the Scrip lure as in former 
times keeping them (tlie Scriptures) in un- 
known tongues, so in these latter limes, by 
persuading from the use of tongues, that so 
at least the true sense and meaning of the 
original might be clouded and corrupted 
witli false glosses of deceivers ;— to the end 
that learning may not be buried in the 
graves of our forefathers, in Churcli and 
Commonwealth, the Lord assisting our en- 
deavors. It is therefore ordered by this 
Court and autliority tliereof: — that every 
township witliin this jurisdiction, after the 
Lord hath increased them to the fifty house 
liolders shall tlien forthwitli appoint one 
within their towns to teach all such cliild- 
ren as sliall resort to liim to write and 
read, wliose wages shall be paid,eitlier by the 
parents or masters of such children, or by 
the inhabitants in general, by way of supply, 
as tlie major part of those that order the pru- 
dentials of the town shall appoint, pro- 
vided that those who send tlieir children be 
not oppressed by paying much more tlian 
they can have them taught for in other 
towns." This act was in 1647. 

Tliis colony law was substantially re- 
enacted in 1G92 by the government of the 



province, with a penalty of ten pounds for 
neglect, which jienalty was increased in 
1702 to twenty pounds. 

Tliere were otlier provisions in these 
laws, with higlier penalties, for grammar 
schools m towns of 100 families, etc. 

These laws and the proceedings of towns 
under them, have been altered and modi- 
fied from time to time, as tlie population 
increased, till they have resulted in tlie 
school district system now established. 

I mentioned the first proceedings of the 
town with regard to a scliool in 1740, in 
wliich no provision was made. In Marcli 
1742 at tlie annual meeting, "tlie question 
was put, wliether the t own would grant 
twenty pounds for schooling of the child- 
ren in this town, and that the selectmen 
should dispose of the same for tliat pur- 
pose, and it passed in the atlinnative." 
This, then, was the first effectual step in 
providing for a town school ; and this, as 
well as all the other proceedings I am relat- 
ing, had reference to what is now our 
town, equally with what is left in Stur- 
bridge. 

On the 9th of April, after this grant, the 
selectmen held a meeting at the dwelling 
house of Daniel Fisk, "to consult how to 
dispose of the money granted for schooling 
and they resolved as follows, viz., that the 
soutli east part shall have ten pounds, ten 
shillings, divided between (l)lank), and the 
north west part, shall have nine pounds, ten 
shiUings, divided between two schools." 
I presume tlie words "two schools" was in- 
tended or omitted, in the division of the 
south east part. This part, which drew 
ten pounds, ten shillings, must have been 
partly in this town. The money was paid 
for female teacliers or "woman's schools," 
as they were called. 

It happens, as a source of information 
which could not otlierwise be obtained, 
that, up to this time, the selectmen re- 
corded their orders on the treasurer at 
length among the town records. By means 
of tliese we are enabled to give tlie names 
of the four celebrated school-mistresses 
wlio first had the honor of wielding the birch 
upon the backs of tliose who were then 
coming upon tlie stage. 

The first order, Dec. 6, 1742, is to 
"James Dennison five pounds, five shil- 



niSTOKY OF SOITTHBRIDGE. 



15 



lings, old tenor, which, (paid) to Margaret 
Maning, for keeping school at his house 
the last suipmer. 

By this little scrap we learn many impor- 
tant facts, viz., that the school was in this 
town ; that the school house was no school 
house at all, the school being at Mr. Denni- 
son's house,* which was a little east of the 
dwelling house of the late aged Capt. 
Ealph Whcelock, now owned byLovell 
Morse, and lastly that the name of the 
scliool marm was Margaret Maning. Bless- 
ing and peace to her memory. 

The next order, Dec. 21, is to Jeremiah 
Streeter, £4, 5s, old tenor, for his wife, her 
keeping school for this town for the last 
summer." This is less explicit than the 
other, — but Jeremiah Streeter' s wife kept 
the school, in what place or part of the 
town I cannot ascertain. 

Another order is "to David Shumway, £4, 
15s, old tenor, for paying Mary Hoar for 
keeping school for this town at Joseph Al- 
len's dwelling, etc." This was in the west- 
erly part of Sturbridge and, as you will 
oliserve, was in a dwelling house. 

The last order was to John Stacy, £5, 2s, 
old tenor, for his (probably wife or 
daughter) her keeping school, etc." 

There is a word omitted in this record — 
probably it was Mr. Stacy's wife. At any 
rate, her name was Stacy. 

From these facts we may conclude very 
safely that, at this time, there weie no 
school houses, and that the large boys had 
no time to attend school, or what is more 
probable, that in the winter the roads were 
such as not to admit of much travel. 

The same sum (£20) was raised and a 
similar division made in 1744, viz., £9, 10s, 
to the west part and £10, 10s, to the east 
part, and this is to be equally divided be- 
tween two schools in each part. 

The town had built a house for public 
worship in 173;], and on the 29th of Sept., 
173(), had settled the Rev. Caleb Eice, as 
their first pastor. The meeting house, be- 
ing erected only four years after the first 
persons began the settlement, must have 

* It was kept in his barn till "haytime," 
when the b.iru was wanted for more important 
matters. 



been an ordinary one, probably without 
any pews at first. This will appear, as 
well as some other important inferences, 
from the following proceedings at a town 
meeting, Oct. 14, 1741. 

Upon an article "to see whether the 
town will (lot) out the room in the meeting 
house under the galleries and come into 
some measures to do and accomplish the 
same," it was voted that the persons who 
might have pews should enjoy them, with 
their families, etc., and their widows, and 
after that said pews shall return to the 
town to be disposed of, etc., the town* pay- 
ing the cost of building the same; from 
which and other subsequent proceedings 
it is evident that the pews were to be built 
and owned by individuals ; and a committee 
was chosen to lot out the room for pews, 
observing the following instructions: "To 
have due regard to age, to the first begin- 
ning in town, — and to their bearing 
charges in town, — and to their usefulness, 
and to dispose of the room for pews to stich 
persons as they shall think fit." 

The committee were, — Daniel Fiske, 
Capt. Moses Marcy and Dea. Isaac Newell. 
Their ditty in this matter was truly a deli- 
cate one ; no less than to designate the 
most meritorious man in town, — the second, 
third and so on down. They undertook 
the task, however, and were to rejiort at 
the next March meeting, having about five 
months to deliberate. 

The committee made their report as ap- 
pointed, stating that they had planned, di- 
vided and numbered said room into 18 
parts, for 18 pews, etc., and further, "We, 
the said committee, met on the 9th day of 
February, 1742, and did agree that.according 
to the instructions given us by the town, 
the following persons ought to have the 
several pew spots and the liberty of pitch- 
ing in the following order, viz., Moses 
Marcy 1st, Henry Fiske 2d, Dea. Isaac 
Newell 3rd, James Dennison 4th, Eoland 
Tailor 5tli, Daniel Fiske Cth, Joseph Baker 
7th, Joseph Cheney 8th, David Shumway 
9th, David Morse 10th, Moses Allen 11th, 
Joseph Allen 12th, Joseph Smith 13th, 
Hinsdale Clark 14th, Ezekiel Upham 15th, 
John Harding Kith, Caleb Harding 17th, 
Edward Foster 18th. 



16 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



If the light of phrenology had shown at 
that time it might have discovered in the 
craniums of two of the committee, Moses 
Marcy and Isaac Newell, a pretty manifest 
development of the organ of self-esteem,— 
being, in their own judgment. No. 1 and 3. 
The other, Daniel Fiske, was more modest, 
being put at No. G ; although if the votes of 
the town had been a test, he was not less 
deserving than eitlier of the others, having 
in every year from the commencement up 
to that time held four offices, selectman, 
town clerk, treasurer and assessor. Daniel 
Fiske* was probably younger than the 
others, which was one thing to be taken 
into consideration. 

There is no doubt, however, that had 
this scale of merit been made by the votes 
of the town, Moses Marcy would have been 
placed at the head, and probably the others 
nearly as they were arranged by the com- 
mittee, for their report was accepted and 
ordered to be put on record. 

It seems there were only 18 pews ; of 
course a kirge portion of the people, if they 
attended meeting, must sit in the galleries, 
or in seats. 

Of these 18, Moses Marcy, James Denni- 
son, Hinsdale Clark, Edward Foster, and 
perhaps one or tv, o others, resided in the 
Southbridge part of the town. 

There was still comi^laint that the "com- 
mons were overstocked with cattle." At 
that time, and for many years after, there 
were few if any fences, except to enclose 
the little lots that had been "brought to" 
for tillage and mowing. The cattle were 
turned in common; and it appears that 
some were disposed to take advantage of 
this liberal system by enticing in the cattle 
of their neighbors from the adjoining 
towns, for which, no doubt, they secretly 
got something by way of compensation. 

To remedy this kind of connivance at 
trespass, in March, 1742, it was voted "that 
when any person be convicted of taking 
any neat cattle or horses to run on their 
unimproved land, not fenced, in Stur- 
bridge, from the 1st of May till the 20th of 
September current, other than their own, or 
shall salt them with their cattle, or shall 
suffer them to lie in their yard peaceably, 
either directly or indirectly, shall for 
every such offence forfeit and pay into the 



proper hawards, or field-drivers, the just 
sum of twenty shillings for the use of the 
town." 

In 1743 the same sum of £30, old tenor, 
was raised for "schooling their children 
this year, and the selectmen to dispose of 
it for that use, in like manner as they did 
the year before." 

In this year the regulation about cattle 
feeding on the common land was contin- 
ued. 

In March, 1744, the sum of £40 was 
granted for schooling to be expended by 
the selectmen, "one half of it to be for a 
summer school and the other half for a 
winter school." There was afterwards a 
question whether the money for a winter 
school should be laid out ; it was not decid- 
ed by the town but was probably not laid 
out, as in March, 1746, a grant of £20 was 
made as at first; "the school should be 
kept in four places in the town and chose 
four men to provide the dames, and Dea. 
Isaac Newell, John Harding, Hinsdale 
Clark and Edmund Livirmore were chosen 
to thai service." This is the first step in 
the improvement of the school system, by 
the appointment of a school committee or 
"four men to provide dames." The plan, 
if not before, has been since adopted and 
sanctioned by law. 

In 1747 £70 was voted "for schooling 
the children," also that £40 be laid out in 
the summer season, to be kept in torn- 
places, and James Dennison, David Morse, 
David Shumway and Moses Allen, "be 
desired to take care and get proper school 
dames for to keep school." It seems that 
one out of the four couniiittee men, Mr. 
Dennison, was in this town, and this was 
probably about the proportion which the 
Southbridge part bore to the whole town 
at that time, and also at the time we were 
set off in 1816. 

The next year, 1748, £50 was raised for 
schooling, "the selectmen to take care 
that it be carefully laid out for that pur- 
pose." 

At the annual meeting for choice of 
town officers, etc., in March, 1749, the 
meeting was opened by prayer. This 
W"as the first introduction of a custom, a 
very proper one, which has generally, if 
not always since been followed in that 



IILSTORY OF SOUTHBiaDGE. 



17 



town, and Soutlibridge. 

In May, 1749, a special meeting was called, 
the principail occasion of wliicli was a cir- 
cnnistance wliich at tliat time and probably 
in other towns also, caused great trouble 
and fearful apprehensions on the part of 
those who had felt it a duty which could 
hardly be called in question witliout ap- 
proaching to impiety to provide regularly, 
by tax on all the inhabitants, for the sup- 
poit of their minister. I liave not before 
mentioned it because it was then in all the 
towns a uniform custom to raise money by 
tax for tins purpose. 

At every annual meeting great care had 
been taken to make suitable provision for 
Mr. Eice's salary, fire wood, etc. The 
salary liad risen from £110 to £470, lis, Ip 
old tenor. In the first years his wood 
was provided in addition, but this year, 
with the last named sum he was to find his 
own wood. 

The circumstance which this year inter- 
rupted this state of things was, wiiat the 
authors of tlie warrant were pleased to call 
in relation to those to whom it applied, 
"yeparating themselves from the public 
worsliip of God on the Lord's day at our 
meeting hohse," and the question, a most 
imponant one to tlie people on both sides, 
to be setiled at the special meeting was, 
"whether the town will pass a vote to ex- 
empt those people from paying to the suj)- 
port of Mr. Kice." But it was too difli- 
cidt a question to be settled at once. The 
subject was undoubtedly discussed, l)ut 
no vote was taken. 

Tlie school money was increased to £80 
to be divided into four parts of the town, 
and if there was any disagreement in dis- 
posing of it, the selectmen were to deter- 
mine tiie matter." The same sum was 
raised the next year under the same regu- 
lations. 

In March, 1751, tlic town granted £50 
lawful money to Mr. Rice for his salary, 
equal to $106.3.'} or £375 old tenor. 

The effect of continuing to the tax 
"Separatists" as they were at first called, 
(afterwards Anabaptists and Baptists) 
was now beginning to be felt. It appears 
Jonathan Perry refused to pay and proba- 
bly suffered tlie collector to take and sell 
liis property, and then had a law suit with 



him. In March, 1752, the question was 
raised, "whetlier tlie town will make a 
grant of money to Jonathan Mason to 
make satisfaction for his damage he su.s- 
tained in the law suit with Jonathan Perry, 
as the said Mason was collector," but 
"simdry persons brought in a paper, to 
show their dislike of that article (in the 
warrant) and it was not acted upon. 

At this period, 1752, the currency was 
changed. The time will not allow an ex- 
planation in detail of the different kinds of 
currency which liad been in use, but it will 
be proper here to state, tliat, to pay the 
enormous expenses which Massachusetts 
(more than all the other states) had in- 
cui'red in the several wars with the French 
and Indians in Canada, the government of 
this province liad issued large amounts of 
paper called "bills of credit," the value of 
which compared with specie, M'as as .$7.50 
to $1.00, and this paper or currency is re- 
ferred to when "old tenor" is mentioned; 
although I believe the government in 1748, 
passed an act to redeem these bills of credit 
at the rate of $1.33 or eight, shillings, for 
every $7.50 or 45 shillings, provided the 
government of Great Britain should pay 
us, as they had by act of parliament agreed 
to do for fighting her battles. 

The pecuniary matters which are herein 
after mentioned are to be considered as 
lawful money or specie, and you will see 
that the sums raised are apparently very 
small compared wilh the former ones in 
"old tenor." 

In 1751, it was £10, 13s, 4pfor schools and 
£15 "for the town's use" and the next year 
£20, 13s, 4p for both purposes. 

In March, 1752, another special meeting 
was called, "to see whether the town will 
come into some methods of agreement with 
the separatists, that were distrained upon 
for their minister's rates," etc. The meet- 
ing was held March 27, Moses Marcy, mod- 
erator, a place which he always was called 
to fill when present. I give tlie proceed- 
ings just as they arc recorded: The "sep- 
aratists was desired to seat themselves in 
the body of the seats on the men's side, 
and the others in the seats on the women's 
side, which they did. The moderator then 
desired that there might be a friendly con- 
ference, and to see if by some means or 



18 



HISTORY OF SOUTIIBRIDGE. 



other we could not. make up the difference 
between us, without going into the law, 
and after a long debate the separatists were 
asked whether, if the creations and all the 
goods that was taken from them by distress 
for their minister tax in the year 1151 was 
returned, would satisfy them so that we 
might live together like Christian friends 
and neighbors. They answered it would 
satisfy them for that year with reasonable 
satisfaction, and no further. Then they 
were desired to bring in, in writing, what 
would content them, which they did accord- 
ingly ; which was to relurn from the year 
1749, and one from the year 1748 which was 
John Streeter. It was earnestly requested 
of the separatists (separates as then ex- 
pressed) that as we then did, and do now 
believe we had a good right to do as we 
did, yet for peace sake that we might 
meet one another and agree ; but this was 
refused by them.^ And then it was put to 
vote, whether the town would return back 
to the separatists what had been taken 
from them for two years past, and it passed 
in the negative. And then the separatists, 
most of them withdrew and it was put to 
vote, whether the town would proceed to 
the choice of a committee to treat further 
with them, and it passed in the alfirma- 
tive." The committee were Nath. Walker, 
James Dennison, Joseph Baker, John 
Tavbell, and Moses Marcy, who were "to 
make return of their proceedings as soon 
as may be." A meeting was called soon 
after to see if the town would give any 
further instructions to the committee, but 
none were given. The expenses of the 
law suit were afterwards paid by the town 
to Jonathan Mason, being £18, Is, 8p, law- 
ful money. 

March 15, 175;^>, it was voted to build 
three school houses, the location, etc., not 
Ijrovided for. 

In 1754 the town raised £40 lawful mon- 
ey '"to mend the roads with" — "allowing 
two shillings to each man per day. for a 
day's work and for a yoke of oxen one shill- 
ing, and one shilling for a cart." At the 
same time, March 4, 1754, the town ^voted 
to hire Ichabod Sparrow Paine "to keep 
school in town" and made a grant of eight 
pounds ($20.07) "for schooling the child- 



ren." Whether this sum was in addition 
to the salary of Sparrow Paine, and to pay 
the "Dames" — or to be the whole for 
schooling does not appear. This is the 
first account I can find of any provision for 
a male teacher or school master, and the 
first mention that is made of a school 
house, except in the vote the year before 
for three to be built, is in the record of a road 
beginning at the south side of Quinebaug 
river near Dea. Foster's bridge, down the 
river to the mouth of Hatchet brook, 
thence to a slump and a heap of stones, 
thence by the school house, then turning 
more east through Sargent James Denni- 
son's lane to a stake and heap of stones," 
etc., by Joshua Harding's land, "to a 
Woodstock road." This road was from 
the Westville factory round by the Capt. 
Wheelock house, etc., and the school house 
probably the first ever built in Sturbridge, 
certainly the first in this town, was exact- 
ly where Cyrus Ammidown now lives. 
This road was laid out in Feb., 1754, and the 
school house was probably built the year 
before. Dennison Wheelock, born in 175;5, 
and now living, is perhaps the only one 
who can remember attending school at 
that house. 

In December, 1754, provision was made 
to fence the burying grounds by a stone 
wall. 

In March, 1759, "after some considerable 
debate about schooling, the question was 
put whether the town would grant £i;3, (is, 
8p, lawful money, for winter school and it 
passed in the affirmative," which is the 
first provision made for a winter school. 

Caleb Rice, the first minister died Sept. 
2, 1759, and the town had no settled minis- 
ter, till the 17th June, 1701, when the Rev. 
Joshua Paine was ordained as their pastor. 
In the mean time arrangements were made 
for a constant supply of preaching. At 
the town meeting, Feb. 10, 1701, to decide 
on concurring with the church which had 
voted to invite Mr. Paine to settle, there 
were 93 votes given, and all for Mr. Paine. 
It appears from this that there must have 
been more than 100 voters in town at that 
time, a considerable number, about one 
fifth having withdrawn from that denomi- 
nation, and according to the usual propor- 



HISTORY OF SOUTIIBRIDGE. 



19 



tion, between the voters and the whole 
}3opulation, there were seven or eight hun- 
dred inhabitants, and perhaps from 150 to 
200 in tliis town including the parts from 
Charlton and Dudley, in neither of which 
were many settlements in 1701. 

Note. — Mr. Paine was ordained June 17, 
1701. I have reason to believe he was a young 
tuimarried man and quite a popular preach- 
er, and especially interesting to the fair 
"dames" who attended church. I get 
these opinions from the following transac- 
tion about a year after Mr. Paine was set- 
tled, from the records: Then there was a 
petition from Hannah Allen, Elizabeth 
Hooker, Hhoda CJlark, Dinah Allen, Abi- 
gail Mason, Susannah Sollis, Lois John- 
son, Mary Mason, Abigail Fay, Elizabeth 
Allen, Abigail Allen, Deborah Faulkner, 
Hannah Chub and Elizabeth Chickeriug, 
"showing that the hind seat in the wom- 
an's side gallery is so low tliat they can not 
see the minister, and the other sea's are 
full and crowded so that it is very uncom- 
fortable sitting; i^raying favor of the town 
that the town would grant them liberty to 
build a pew where the hind scat is, etc." 

This surely was a grievance not to be 
borne, after a new young minister was 
settled, although they had before made no 
complaint under their former minister. 

The prayer of tliese yotuig ladies (yotuig 
ladies, no doubt) was granted, and they 
proliably soon raised themselves up in 
siglit of the minister, even so high that he 
could see them. — M. P. 

In March. 1701, a committee"out of every 
corner," was chosen to take into considera- 
tion the affairs of schools and repoit to the 
town. 

There were persons in different parts of 
the town who petitioned to have the money 
they were assessed for schools, to be laid 
out among themselves. Some of these 
were granted and some were refused by the 
committee; where this privilege was grant- 
ed as reconuuended by the committee, it 
was still reserved for the town to have It 
under their eye, how the money is expend- 
ed. In general the committee reported 
"that each school district should draw otit 
of the treasury as much money as they pay 
to the school rate," and this part of the 
report was adopted. 

This was the first step taken, calculated, 
as it must of necessity, to result in the 
establishment of regular school disiricts, 
with definite limits. At first when there 
were but few inhabitants it was found ex- 



pedient to assign £9, 10s to the North West, 
and £10, 10s, old tenor, to the South West 
part of the town, the whole being about 
eqtial to $9.00 in silver. After about twenty 
years it had arisen to £lo, Gs, 8p, lawful 
money, or about $44.50 and this it was very 
evident, could not with anything like con- 
venience be appropriated or used in any 
one place to support one teacher as the law 
seemed to have contemplated. The reme- 
dy for this difficulty was in making school 
districts, and this remedy was applied by 
the people before our lawmakers ijoinled 
out the way. 

There was a division of the town into 
five school districts made by a committee 
appointed foi that purpose in Feb. 1704. 
This connuittee consisted of the following 
persons: George Watkins, Daniel Fiske, 
Ralph Wheelock, James Johnson, Edward 
Foster, Joseph Cheney, David Morse, 
David Shumway, Aaron Allen. The re- 
port was acceiJted March 5, 1764. The 
divisioii was as might be expected, not 
very explicitly defined but was no doubt 
well understood by the people at the time. 

'i'here was but one district in this town, 
called the Southerly District, The bounds 
extended from Charlton line, beyond Mr. 
John McKinstry's, by a saw-mill, (then 
standing where his mill now is, and be- 
longing to Rubin Ellis) to the place now 
owned by Mr. Leonard, and continuing to 
near the mills of Jephthah Plimpton; 
thence sottth to Woodstock line, including 
all that was south and east of tliese lines. 
The school house was to be east from Sar- 
gent Dennison's gate, about 20 rods, that 
is 20 rods east of an old house that stood, 
or now stands, near the Capt. Wheelock 
house. The reason why this was located 
there is, that the one wliich had first been 
built below was burned down. This then. 
72 years ago, must have been the only 
school house within our limits, unless there 
was one in the Dtidley part, or in or near 
what is called "the city," or Ammidown 
village. 

The grant of money after this division 
and for the year 1704 was "25 pounds lawful 
money for a winter school, and also 8 
pounds for a summer school, to be kept by 
a woman, for the instruction of little child- 
ren; said 8 pounds grauled with this provi- 



20 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIBGE. 



so, — that the mmiey belonging to each 
school district be expended at such place or 
places in the district as the district shall 
agree upon, to be left, in order that every 
part of each district may be profited there- 
by, as much as may be, in case the districts 
are agreed ; if not, the selectmen to deter- 
mine the matter." The proportion or di- 
vision of money for winter and summer 
schools established at this time was about 
the same as is now made in this town, that 
is, three-fourths for the former and one- 
fourth for the latter. It was at the same 
time voted that every school district build 
their own school house, and that the 
school houses be devoted to that use for the 
town; and also "that the school houses be 
completed and finished, so as to keep 
school in them by the first of October 
next." (1764). These arrangements were 
probably soon carried into effect; and the 
only alterations which have since been 
made in our common school system are the 
division and increasing the number of 
school districts, as the population in- 
creased, increasing the amount of money 
raised for schooling, and the appointment 
of a school committee for each district, and 
a general superintending committee for the 
whole town to examine teachers as to 
their qualifications, direct the kinds of 
books to be used, and to visit the schools. 
I have endeavored thus to trace the vari- 
ous steps taken by our ancestors in pro- 
viding for the education of their children, 
particularly as the subject is, in itself, one 
of great interest, and it also shows, in some 
measure, the geneial progress in the state 
of society in relation to many of its most 
distinguishing features. The state of things 
here found to exist at different periods was 
probably much the same as in other towns 
in New England of similar age, although it 
may be presumed that those towns which 
were settled prior to the close of "King 
Phillip's War," in 1670, could make but 
little, if any, permanent provision, except 
in one fortified place, for schools, being in 
constant danger of attacks from the Indi- 
ans. When they, these dangers, had 
ceased, and the remnants of the unfortu- 
nate red men had all departed to the West 
and to Canada, it was the custom to estab- 



lish "moving schools," as they were called 
and in some towns it was voted "to have 
a reading, writing and moving school for 
six months." From this first plan they 
proceeded soon to a division of the money, 
to accommodate different parts of the 
town at the same season of the year ; then 
to a division of the territory into districts, 
etc., as we liave seen. 

These remarks will render any further 
notice of proceedings in relation to schools 
unnecessary, except, perhaps, to speak of 
new districts or subdivisions. 

In the year 1765 the government of Great 
Britain began the system of taxation, 
which was considered by the colonies as 
the commencement of a course of meas- 
ures calculated to make them little better 
than the slaves of England. The Stami) 
Act was the first measure which caused 
alarm, and it created great excitement, 
particularly in Massacliuseits; and this 
feeling was soon manifested in the action 
of the people at their public town meet- 
ings. In a warrant for a meeting Oct., 
1705, a leading article was: "To see if the 
town will give their representatives some 
instructions respecting the Stamp Act, 
coming in force, imposing a tax upon these 
colonies." And it was voted to give the 
following instructions, viz. : "The town 
looked upon the duty of the Stamp Act to 
be insupportable , and to instruct their rep- 
resentative to use the utmost of his endeav- 
ors, consistent with loyalty, that said Stamp 
Act may be repealed." 

The instruction here given is stated to 
be to "their representative" ; but I do not 
find up to this time that any representative 
liad been chosen by the town, nor until 
May, 1766, when, in pursuance of an article 
in tlie warrant for that purpose, "the town 
made choice of Moses Marcy, Esq., to rep- 
resent them in the great and general court 
this year." 

It seems that the Lieut. Governor and 
others had sustained a severe loss, occa- 
sioned by a mob, or riot, in Boston, re- 
specting the Stamp Act, and the town voted 
that the representative should use his en- 
deavor in the general court tliat the loss of 
the Lieut. Governor be made up to him, 
"with as much credit and as little charge 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



21 



to the province as may be," etc. 

In 1768 sundry persons petitioned to the 
town, "requesting they may liave the liber- 
ty of taking their seats in tlie meeting 
house in the front gallery, or where tlie 
town shall think proper, in order to carry 
on the duly of singing with more regular- 
ity, decency, and good order." 

Previous to this request the singers had^ 
as we may infer, been seated promiscuously 
among the audience. The town granted 
the privilege as requested till tlie next town 
meeting, and then voted that it ''be con- 
tinued to them during the town's pleas- 
ure." 

It has probably ever since been the 
"pleasure" of the town, as well as of other 
religious assemblies for public worship, to 
permit the singers to sit by themselves in 
the front gallery. 

In May, 1770, Jeremiah Morse, Ephraim 
Bacon and others, no doubt finding it very 
inconvenient to send their children to 
school at the house near Capt. Wheelock's, 
petitioned lo have the benefit of wliat money 
they pay towards the school rate yearly, 
and the town voted they have the benefit of 
tlieir money, "meaning all south and south- 
east of Mr. Seth Ilamant's." Seth Ham- 
ant then lived a little beyond the brook at 
the north end of Lebanon Hill, so called. 

This division was the first made of the 
one district, which before embraced nearly 
the whole of this town and a part of Stur- 
bridge ; and it was the foundation of the 
district and school house near Mr. Freeman 
Pratt" s. The selectmen were still to divide 
or apportion the school money in the dis- 
tricts as they should think most just, and 
for the benefit of the districts. District es- 
tablished in March, 1772. 

In May, 1771, the town chose Dea. 
Daniel Fiske to represent them in tlie gen- 
eral court. There had been none chosen 
from 17(50 to this time. In 1773 the excite- 
ment and contest in relation to taxing the 
Anabaptists, as they were then called, had 
mostly subsided, and the town voted very 
liberally to exempt Jonathan Perry and 
others from the minister rate, notwith- 
standing tlieir not giving in to the assessors 
certificates agreeable to law. 

In March, 1774, upon the petition of 
Jeremiali Morse, Henry Pratt and others, 



the town voted, or made a grant of £1, IGs, 
lawful money, to their scliool district, in 
addition to their school money, more than 
they pay. This vote is perliaps of some 
importance as a precedent, it being the 
only instance up to this time in which a 
district received any more than they paid. 

In 1774 the sum raised for schools was 
£50, lawful money, !?166.G7, one-quarter 
part thereof for a summer woman's school. 
In this year (1774) the subject of building 
a new meeting house came up, but it being 
about the commencement of the great 
struggle between the colonies and England, 
which required all the attention and re- 
sources of the people, the building of a 
meeting house was postponed till after the 
war. 

Some of the proceedings of the people as 
indicated in their public meetings on the 
subject of the coming contest for inde- 
pendence I think should here be men- 
tioned, although tliese and some other 
matters, which miglit be omitted, will per- 
haps extend this lecture beyond reasonable 
limits. 

An informal meeting of the inhabitants 
of the town, upon the request of the se- 
lectmen, was held at the meeting house on 
Monday, the 27th of June, 1774. It may 
be proper to mention that the selectmen 
for that year were Dea. Daniel Fiske, Capt. 
Nathaniel Walker. Ensign James Johnson, 
Lieut. John Tarbell, Lieut. Samuel Ellis, 

The object of the meeting, wliich was at- 
tended "very unanimously," was "to con- 
sider of some measure proper to be adopted 
for the safety and defence of the province 
in this distressed condition by reason of 
several late acts of the British Parliament. 
After solemn prayer to God for direction, 
proceeded after this manner: 

The selectmen to preside in the meeting ; 
Dea. Daniel Fiske, speaker. After con- 
siderable debate on adopting some measure 
for the safely and defence of the province, 
etc., it appeared to be the mind of tlie 
town universally not to purchase any goods 
wdiich shall be imported from Great Bri- 
tain after the time stipulated and agreed 
to; and then, and soon after, generally 
signed the Worcester covenant, with some 
small alteration, and universally that and 
tlie Berkshire covenant, with some altera- 



22 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



tion in that." I here give tlie precise 
language of tlie person wlio Icept the record 
of tlie meeting, who was Joshua Harding, 
Sr., then town clerk. 

Another meeting was held August 25, 
1774, upon a like request of the selectmen. 
A motion was discussed that, "considering 
the present alarming situation of our pub- 
lic affairs, by reason of several late acts of 
the British Parliament, altering the course 
of justice and annihilating our once free 
constitution of government, a committee 
be chosen in each town in the county to 
meet together at Worcester, or some suita- 
ble place, to consult and advise what is 
necessary and prudent to be done by the 
inhabitants of this county." 

The town was very generally assembled, 
and it was voted to choose a committee of 
live, viz., Dea. Moses Wild, Timothy New- 
ell,* William McKinstry, John Salmon and 
Benjamiii Freeman. Two of these were to 
meet with the committee of the other 
towns and make report at an adjourned 
meeting. At the adjourned meeting the 
committee laid before the town their pro- 
ceedings and resolves at the convention at 
Worcester, which, "being read twice dis- 
tinctly," were all approved by vote. 

Sept. 28tli a regular meeting was called 
by the selectmen to act on various impor- 
tant matters relating to this subject. It 
was proposed to provide a field-piece, but 
the town "did not look upon it necessary." 
It was voted to provide 4 half barrels of 
powder, 500 pounds of lead and 500 flints, 
in addition to the town stock of ammuni- 
tion. 

Capt. Erasmus Babbit, Sr., and Mr. Tim- 
othy Newell gave the town one-half barrel 
of powder, for which the town voted them 
thanks. A committee was chosen to make 
provisions for the men in this town, in case 
they should be called away upon any sud- 
den emergency. This committee was En- 
sign James Johnson, Capt. Joseph Cheney, 
Lieut, Henry Fiske, Mr. Hinsdale Clark, 
Capt. Ezekiel Uphaiii, Mr. Stephen Ge- 
rould, and Mr. John Marsh. It was also 
voted, "by a great majority," to pay the 
men, in case they should suddenly be 

*Marc>, aftervvHid Gov. Mem. of Gov. 
couu. couiioil, etc. 



called away. 

Capt. Timothy Parker was chosen a del- 
egate to the Provincial Congress, to be 
convened at Concord, the second Tuesday 
of Oct., 1774. 

There was a j)rovince tax laid upon the 
towns, the jiayment of which was probably 
to be voluntary, if at all, it being out of the 
regular course of proceedings. 

The town, at a meeting Nov. 17, 1774, 
voted unanimously that the constables of 
the town pay the province tax to Henry 
Gardner, Esq., of Stow, and that his re- 
ceipt thereof should ever thereafter operate 
as an effectual discharge. 

Capt. Ralph Wheelock, Dea. Daniel 
Fiske, Mr. Aaron Allen, Mr. Aaron Weld, 
and Lieut. John Tarbell were chosen a 
committee to inspect the buying, selling 
and consuming East India teas. Two half 
barrels of powder and 300 pounds of lead 
was added to the siock of ammunition ; and 
the Rev. Joshua Paine gave one half bar- 
rel of powder and Lieut. Henry Fiske 100 
pounds of lead, for which the town voted 
their acknowledgment of the favors. 

It was then proposed that all men in 
town of 10 years old and upwards meet at 
Meeting house on the first Monday of De- 
cember, 1774, at 10 o'clock in the morning, 
with arms and ammunition, in order for 
viewing. 

On the day appointed, to which time the 
town meeting had been adjourned, the town 
"very generally met on the training field," 
(the common was then called a training 
field) "and having formed themselves into 
proper order, the conapanies of foot, the 
minute men, the troop— all belonging in 
tOAvn, the company of alarm men, — all - 
marched into the meeting house in good 
order, having fixed themselves together, 
there being silence and good order. After 
solemn prayer to God and singing, the Rev. 
Mr. Paine preached a sermon from psalms 
(blank). Arrangements were then made 
to see that all the different companies were 
duly equipped, a committee, consisting of 
the selectmen and Capt. Joseph Cheney 
and Lieut. Henry Fiske, being chosen for 
that purpose. 

A committee of one in each school dis- 
trict was chosen to obtain the signature of 
every individual in town to an instrument 



HISTOTIY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



23 



binding them to a strict observance of the 
rules of the Continental Congress, — in par- 
ticular that part called the association. 

Upon the repoi't of a committee as to 
delinquents in arms and ammunition, the 
town voted ''that it is the sense of this 
town that every man in town able to fur- 
nish themselves with arms and ammuni- 
tion do forthwith fix themselves complete, 
and be it further recommended by the 
town, in the strongest terms, to all in town 
unprepared to defend our just rights and 
privileges and all that is dear to us, in this 
time of great danger and distress, to exert 
themselves to the utmost, to be prepared 
immediately." 

In March, 1775, the school district in 
this town was again divided by establishing 
what is now the centre district. The 
bounds were "so far west as to take Jona- 
than Perry (now called the Nathan Hard- 
ing place) and thence over the river, about 
southwest, to include Zeeb Clark; from 
thence, about southeast, to include the laud 
of Benjamin and David Dix (late Ephraim 
Wheelock's) and Ichabod Eobbing (now 
Moses Mason's), and thence south to 
Woodstock line," on the southeast, bound- 
ed of course by the Pratt district. The 
spot for the school house to be on land of 
Col. Marcy, west of the road, about 20 rods 
south of Benjamin Freeman's house, 
'•where the school house now stands." 
This place was near where the house of Dr. 
Jeuks stands, and it oeems that a school 
house had been built before the division 
was authorized by the town. The spot for 
the other school house was "on the road 
leading from John Marsh's (now Grosvenor 
Marsh's) to the meeting house on Ensign 
Ellis's land, where the school house now 
stands," that is, at the time of their loca- 
tion, which was probably the same place 
where the present house is located. 

From 1774 to 1784 a change had taknn 
place in the affairs of this country, perhaps 
unequalled in importance in the political 
history of the world. Prior to the first 
mentioned period, all our waiTants for 
town meetings commenced with the im- 
posing authority of,— "In his Majesty's 
name." etc., and generally ended with a 
double reference to the year of our Lord 
and the "year of his Majesty's reign." It 



was not so now. We had nothing with 
"his Majesty," and instead of his name, 
our precepts were to be served, "In the 
name of the Commonwealth of Massachu- 
setts." 

Besides the natural consequence of the 
Revolution, which, throughout our whole 
country, produced a new state of things, a 
new tone of thought and feeling, in every 
individual left upon the stage; — a great 
change had taken place among ovir inhabi- 
tants. Many of the "fathers of the town," 
were no longer there, or had ceased to be 
actors in public life. Another generation 
had come on, and we find in 1784, Joshua 
Harding, Jr., town clerk; Benjamin Free- 
man, Henry Fiske Jr., etc., selectmen; 
and, in general, the sons of the first inhab- 
itants, or others of similar age, who had 
moved into town, were the persons in act- 
ive life. 

It will be recollected that the subject of 
a new meeting house came up in 1774, and 
was then postponed. It was again brought 
up before the town, in different ways and 
at different times in 1783 and 4; and I 
should think, from the general nature of 
the proceedings, that the inhabitants 
living in this part of the town were op- 
posed to building. There were several 
close votes on the subject, — sometimes for 
and then against, raising money for that 
purpose. And I infer from this that even 
at that time the minds of the people in this 
'section had been led to contemplate the 
prospect of having a meeting house, and at 
least a parish in this part of the town. 

A building committee had been chosen, 
and while the work of erecting and finish- 
ing the meeting house was going on, em- 
barrassments were thrown in the way as to 
providing the necessary funds, or paying 
the expenses they had incurred. On a 
question whether oOO pounds, which had 
once been granted and the vote reconsid- 
ered, should be immediately assessed, the 
vote was, affirmative, 32; negative, 28; and 
immediately after a number of persons, 
among whom were Capt. Ealph Wheelock, 
Mr. John Marsh, etc., remonstrated against 
the votes which had been passed, on ac- 
count of illegality as to the place of posting 
up warrants. This was in Sept., 1784. In 
the next year there was a petition of per- 



24 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



sons living near.Brookfield, and probably 
joined by others in this part, to have the 
town divided into three districts, or pre- 
cincts, but :t was voted against '"by a great 
majority." 

The meeting house, however, was fin- 
ished in 1785, or early in the next year, and 
the same year the Baptist meeting house 
on Fisk's Hill was erected. 

In June, 1786, a committee, which had 
been appointed for that purpose, by a re- 
port, which was accepted, numbered all the 
school districts in the town, affixing to 
each number the name of some jjerson 
living near the school house. There were 
eleven districts, three of which were in 
this town, viz. : Southbridge — No. 4, 
Ralph Wheelock; 10, Henry Pratt; 5, Ben- 
jamin Frenman. Sturbridge — No. 3, Capt. 
Timothy Parker; 1, Ebenezer Craft, Esq.; 
2, Stephen Harding; 6, Abijah Shumway; 
7, Dea. .Jonathan Phillips; 8, Silas Child; 
9, John Salmon; 11, Capt. Henry Clark. 

When the present meeting house in Stur- 
bridge was first built, there was no steeple. 
The steeple was authorized to be added in 
January, 1794, and probably erected the 
same year. 

In May, 1793, ihe first regular school 
district committee were chosen,— three in 
each district, and in 1790 they were reduced 
to one in each district 

It seems that what is now the southeast 
part of this town was formerly considered 
a part of Woodstock, or a gore of land not 
belonging toei'her town, for in April, 1794, 
on the petition of Ezekiel Brown, Joseph 
Ammidown, C^yrus Ammidown, Benjamin 
Stoddart, Ephraim Bacon and Jeremiah 
Morse, they, with their lauds, were re- 
ceived as inhabiiants of the town. 

In May, 1796, the first persons were 
chosen, one in eacli school district, to reg- 
ulate funerals. This is an office not pro- 
vided for by any law, but a very proper and 
even necessary one. 

The views of those who first inlroduced 
these committees may be learned from the 
following regulations to be observed by the 
funeral committees, which were adopted by 
the town in Nov., 1796, having been re- 
ported by a committee, of which Joshua 
Harding. Jr., was chairman: 1st — The 
committee shall be punctual in attending 



upon all funerals within their respective 
districts, during the term of their appoint- 
ment. 2nd — During the customary exer- 
cises of funerals the committee shall see 
that the minister, or the mourners, ai'e not 
uncomfortably thronged, and the same at- 
tention to be paid to the mourners on their 
taking leave of the corpse. 3rd — The rela- 
tions of the deceased, having nominated 
the bearers to the committee, they shall 
notify and collect them together, when 
needed. 4th — After funeral exercises are 
over the committee to see that no time be 
unnecessarily lost in conveying the corpse 
to the burying ground and interring the 
same. 5th — The committee may cam ion 
the attendants on funerals in standing too 
long over tlie corpse of those who have 
died of contagious or infectious diseases 
that they may not expose themselves to the 
same disorder, Gth — The committee to 
pay particular attention to tlie order and 
decency of the procession moving into the 
burying ground to the grave, and likewise 
in returning from the same. In fine, 
the committee may ai tend to all matters 
and things that may respect the decency ( 'f 
funerals, or may in any Avay alleviate the 
distresses of flie afilicted mourners. 

After the erection of the meeting house 
of Fisk's Hill, but very few of the inhabi- 
tants of this town, especially those at the 
east and southeast parts, attended meeting 
in the centre house in Stiu-bridge. Many 
had joined the Baptist society, or occasion- 
ally attended meeting there. The distance 
which some had to travel to attend church 
and to transact town business was more 
than seven miles. This state of things, 
besides the great inconvenience it must oc- 
casion to those who wished regularly to 
at lend and maintain public worship upon 
the Sabbath, undoubtedly had a tendency 
'o prevent many from attending meetiiig 
at all, or but few times in the year, A cir- 
cumstance which could not be favorable to 
the character and morals of society. It 
could hardly be expected that the affairs of 
a community thus situated and having 
among its principal numbers those who 
felt the importance of a general attendance 
upon public worship on the Sabbath, should 
so remain for any considerable time. The 
southwest part of Charlton and the west 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



25 



part of Dudley were in some degree labor- 
ing under similar disadvantages. It was 
natural then that a remedy should be 
sought by a reparation and the establish- 
ment of a new town, or at least by pro- 
viding soTue more convenient place for 
public worship. 

The first attempts were for a town. In 
Nov., 1796, Joshua Harding, Jr., and 
others petitioned the town of Sturbridge to 
be set off with a part of Charlton and Dud- 
ley as a town. Upon an article in the 
warrant to hear the report of the committee 
appointed to confer on the subject, it was 
"voted that this article subside," — a very 
modest and easy way to let it down. 

A similar petition of Daniel Morse and 
others was rejected, and in 1798 Joshua 
Harding and others again petitioned for a 
town, that is, tliat the town of Sturbridge 
would assent to the formation of a new 
town, but they refused. 

As late as 1799 there was a bounty of 
$1.50 on wild cats. 

In this year, 1799, the school house by 
Joseph Clark's was burnt, and the town 
granted 33 dollars towards rebuilding. 

In 1800, Ralph Wheelock and others 
again petitioned for the assent of Stur- 
bridge to be set off as a town. The vote 
was 53 for and 96 against the petition. 

The Rev. Mr. Paine died in 1799, and 
Rev. Otis Lane was ordained Dec. 10, 
1800. 

In the arrangement of ecclesiastical mat- 
ters, ordination of the minister, etc., the 
inhabitants of this i^art of the town had no 
part, being left out in the appointment of 
all committees, etc., probably at their own 
request. 

Having failed in the project of being set 
off as a town, apj)lication was made in 
1800 to the general court for the incorpora- 
tion of a parish, and this was granted, as 
will be more particularly mentioned. This 
project was also opposed by a majority of 
the voters of Sturbridge, the votes being 
at one time 39 to 48, and at a special meet- 
ing to see if the town would reconsider, the 
votes were — in favor of reconsidering, 71 ; 
against, 98; and in the same year, 1801, the 
town of Sturbridge again voted not to 
abate the minister taxes of those in this 
part who requested it. 



I have thus noticed as briefly as I could 
in pursuing the course upon which I at 
first set out those transactions of a public 
nature in which this jilace was connected 
with the town of Sturbridge. I shall here 
leave that town as a corporation, and in 
the remainder of public matters to be men- 
tioned and others principally, confine my- 
self within our own limits . 

At the time when the first application 
was made on the subject of a new town, 
viz., in 1796, meetings had been held here 
f"om time to time to adopt sucli measures 
as appeared necessary. At one of these a 
committee was aijpointed, consisting of 
Oliver Plimpton, David Morse, Joshua 
Harding, Jr., Asa Walker, Luther Ammi- 
down, Ebeuezer Putney, Jr., and James 
Dyer, to whom was referred the subject of 
forming a new town and who were to re- 
IJort thereon. This report, which I dis- 
covered by accident, among old files of 
papers, which will probably soon be lost or 
destroyed, is so valuable a document that I 
have determined by transcribing to i)re- 
serve it, and although I am already aware 
of the unreasonable length to which this 
sketch may be extended I cannot well omit 
that report, which is as follows: "The 
committee to whom was referred the sub- 
ject of forming a number of the inhabitants 
of the southeast part of Sturbridge, south- 
west part of Charlton and west part of 
Dudley, into a town, have attended that 
service and beg leave to report as follows, 
viz. : The first article of instructions to 
your committee was, to report the most 
convenient spot for a meeting house. In 
the public opinion, three particular spots 
have been referred to, at a very moderate 
distance from each other. Your committee 
having jjaid particular attention to each of 
them, are unanimous in their opinion that 
the central, which is a rising groiuid on 
Capt. Marcy's land, north of Col. Free- 
man's barn (then standing on the other 
side of the road opposite to the place now 
occupied by the meeting house) concen- 
trates convenience, elegance and beauty, 

The second article of instruction to your 
committee was, to report the principles on 
which said liouse is to be built. As it is 
natural to expect that in a class of citizens 



26 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDQE. 



so numerous as is comprised in the pro- 
posed new townrthere Mill be different 
sentiments in regard to modes of religious 
worsliip, this part therefore of your com- 
mittee's instructions forms the most ardu- 
ous and difficult task. But, as a liberal and 
conciliatory plan appears to be the general 
wish, your conimittee propose the follow- 
ing: That a subscription be opened to 
raise a sum sufficient to erect a frame 
and belfry for a meeting house and com- 
plete the outside, and that the pews be sold 
at public vendue to complete the inside ; 
that every denomination be equally privil- 
eged in said house, according to their in- 
terest therein, this clause however not to 
be constructed so as to operate against the 
major part governing, but to confirm the 
free use of said house to the minority, when 
the majority are not improving the same. 

Your committee foresee with concern 
that the liberality of this plan will be ob- 
jected to by many respected characters as 
having a tendency to deprive the town of a 
stated, settled, orthodox ministry, to 
which objection your committee beg leave 
to make the following observations; 

1st. The difference in sentiment be- 
twixt the Congregationalists and Baptists 
is principally confined to the administra- 
tion of the ordinance of Baptism, a very 
immaterial difference indeed. Were both 
parties seriously to reflect, that religion 
consists in purity of heart, and give no 
more weight and consideration to modes 
and forms of worship than they really de- 
serve ; and if a minister should be settled 
disposed to administer that ordinance in 
the manner most agreeable to that wished 
for period, when both parties might be 
happily united in one society. 

2nd. That every denomination being 
equally privileged in said house, according 
to their interest, will have a material tend- 
ency to unite and cement themselves to- 
gether in one society. 

3d. That there are comprised in the 
proposed town as large a number, and 
reputable both as to character and interest 
as new towns are generally composed of, 
(and) il would be ungenerous to say they 
were not as well disposed towards support- 
ing the gospel. 
The third article of instructions to your 



committee was to ascertain the bounds of 
said town. 

Your committee propose the following: 
Beginning at the South East corner, on 
the state line, to include James Haskell, 
Benjamin Stone, Thomas Cheney, Lieut. 
Eleazer Putney, Eliakim Chamberlain, 
Jesse Merrit, Paul Piick, Asa Dresser, 
Alexander Brown, John Chub, Joseph and 
William McKinstry, Jonathan Perry, to 
the river ; thence include John Plimpton, 
Capt. Elias Plimpton, Fletcher Foster, /^ 
Capt. Samuel Ellis, Jedediah Ellis, Simeon 
Mason, and Chester May, to the state line. 
But as an actual survey will be necessary, 
before an act of incorporation can be ap- 
plied for, your committee are of o]3inion to 
refer minute circumstanceg respecting 
boundaries to that period. 

The 4th article of instruction to your 
committee was, to report a plan of the 
meeting house, which will accompany this 
report. 

The 5th article of instruction to your 
committee was, to see what number of 
persons will come forward to build said 
house. Although your committee, as yet are 
not well enough informed to detail the par- 
ticular disposition of every person, yet from 
what information your committee have 
already obtained, the disposition of the 
people appears to be very general in favor 
of the plan. Your committee propose to 
bring forward subscription papers at the 
present meeting, which will give that point 
its fairest decision; and all moneys, either 
by subscription or sales of pews, to be con- 
sidered as binding, whenever an act of 
incorporation takes place, otherwise to be 
void and of no effect. 

Your committee, in closing this report, 
are disposed to present to your view, the 
geographical situation of the proposed 
town. The great parent of nature seems 
to have been profuse in his favors to this 
place. The Quinebaug river, which falls 
so nearly central through, with its excellent 
seats for mills and other water works, are 
circumstances highly favorable to the in- 
troduction of useful mechanics, and ren- 
dering it a place of activity and business. 
The goodness of the soil, with the excellent 
forests abounding wi'h all kinds of timber 
for building, are estimates of great conse- 



^ 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



27 



quence to the general plan. 

Abstractly considered from the value it 
will add to the real estate, if we take into 
view the benefits that would naturally re- 
sult from a religious society, where there 
are so large a number of youths, in. forming 
their minds for accomplishments, useful- 
ness, and virtue, when they are at present 
by reason of local situation notoriously 
neglected, are, in the opinion of your com- 
mittee considerations of so much weight, 
that (they) ought to bear down obstacles 
that present themselves in the way of the 
accomplishment of an object, so noble, so 
great, and so good. From every view of 
the subject, your committee recommend, 
with steadiness, energy and vigor, to take 
the most effectual measures to carry into 
complete effect an object of so much con- 
sequence, as soon as time, and other cir- 
cumstances will admit." (Report made Feb. 
29, 1796.) 

This report was signed by the whole com- 
mittee and undoubtedly expressed their 
views and feelings, but it is due to one of 
them to state, that it was from the pen of 
Joshua Harding, who was usually required 
to draft instruments of this kind; and it 
will perhaps be sufficient commendation of 
the report and of its author to say, that it 
deserves sound judgment and ability, and 
in particular, that the candid and liberal 
views, and high moral tone which pervade 
it throughout, were literally but specimens 
of his pure and benevolent mind. 

It will be perceived that at this time all 
were looking to the immediate formation 
of a new town, and that the establishment 
of a parish was not contemplated, and it is 
not improbable had they known, as it 
turned out, that they should not succeed 
on account of the opposition in Sturbridge, 
all further proceedings on the subject of a 
meetinghouse, etc., would have ceased, or 
at least would have been suspended for 
several years. The people however, agree- 
able to the plan and recommendations of 
the committee immediately made arrange- 
ments for building a meeting house, and 
at the same time, and subsetiucntly as has 
before been stated, made applications to 
Sturbridge all of which were opposed and 
rejected. The house was to be built by 
subscriptions as far as they could be ob- 



tained, and the inside, pew's, etc., to be 
furnished in such manner, and by such 
means as circumstances might suggest. 
Most of the persons, probably all who 
were to be interested in the meeting house 
agreed to furnish certain articles of provi- 
sion for the raising, such as bread, pork, 
veal, mutton, beef, butter, cheese, potatoes, 
beets, beer, cider, etc., etc. The meeting 
house was raised under the direction of 
William Love, July 4, 1797, (and this is the 
first event to which my memory extends, 
being then about four years old. ) 

The house was not finished for several 
years. The first meeting for public wor- 
ship was April G, ISOO. The preacher was 
Rev. Alvan Underwood of Woodstock, but 
the house was not then finished, and I 
think there were no pews, or at least I 
remember that there were some loose seats 
of boards, etc., used. It was dedicated 
July 4, 1800, and of course was then fin- 
ished or ought to have been. 

Every place, person, or thing, of suffi- 
cient consequence to attract attention, to 
be thought of, or talked about must have 
a name, particular, and special, as a means 
of distinction in the class of species to 
which it belongs, and if those whose right 
and duty it is, do not see to it, and apply 
some distinctive appellation, others will do 
it for them. How long will your inquisi- 
tive neighbors suffer your infant to be 
called '"baby"? Not long enough for you 
to determine which of your ancesters, 
uncles, cousins, or friends was most worthy 
to have his or her name transplanted into 
your family. 

So in relation to this place, we had de- 
termined to be, and become a separate 
distinct community, neither Sturbridge, 
Charlton, or Dudley. We had built a 
meeting house, made calculations for pub- 
lic worship by ourselves, applied for incor- 
poration as a parish, etc., but in all these 
matters had forgotten to give ourselves a 
name. We could not conveniently, or 
rather properly be East Parish, West Par- 
ish, or South Parish, because either of 
those appellations would only apply to one 
of the three towns to which we belonged. 
In this state of things, and from the ne- 
cessity of the case some person, or persons, 
(and it will probably never be known who) 



28 



HISTOEY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



gave us a name, and tliat was Honest town. 
It may have Vhen attached to us by some 
one in the old towns from which we had 
separated in a moment of resentment at 
our obstinacy, in not being satisiied to go 
some miles to meeting, it may have come 
from some wag or l)ar room joker over his 
mug of flip, or possibly from some one of 
our own, really honest inhabitants who 
firmly believed that there was more true 
genuine honesty here, than in any other 
place in this part of the country. Be all 
these things as they may, it is certain that 
this place, now Southbridge, for twenty 
years or more, before we became a town 
was known far and near by the name of 
Honest town, and whether the term was 
applied ironically, or in "sober earnest," 
or whether the character of our inhabi- 
tants for fair dealing between man and 
man rose above or fell below the common 
standard, the truth would probably require 
us to admit that from "local situation," to 
use the charitable expression of the amiable 
author of the report which I have intro- 
duced, or from some other cause there was a 
general want of stability, a kind of freedom 
from wholesome restraint, which was by 
no means favorable to the cause of good 
morals, virtue, and religion, and the effects 
of this state of things are yet, in some 
measure, visible. 

The Poll Parish (alias Honest town. ) In 
the year 1801, certain persons having peti- 
tioned therefor, an act was passed, "setting 
off a number of the inhabitants of the 
south east part of Sturbridge, the south 
west part of Charlton, and the west part of 
Dudley into a poll parish for the purpose of 
a religious society." The preamble of the 
act, containing the reason for the same is 
as follows: "Whereas, for the convenience 
and satisfaction of a number of the inhabit- 
ants of the towns of Sturbridge, Charlton, 
and Dudley in the county of Worcester, 
with respect to their attending public 
worship it is found necessary to set them 
off, and erect them into a poll parish." 

The persons thus set off, and who consti- 
tuted the parish with the estates which 
they then had or might thereafter possess 
were: Ralph Wheelock, Abel Mason, Josh- 
xia Harding, Benjamin Freeman, Jedediah 
Marcy, Oliver Plimpton, John Ammidown, 



Luther Ammidown, Gershom Plimpton, 
Joseph Shaw, Robert Edwards, Calvin 
Ammidown, Jephthah Clark, Jeremiah 
Shumway, Oliver Hooker, Eleazer Putney, 
jr., Solomon Clark, Daniel Morse, jr., 
Calvin Perry, Moses Clark, Asa Walker, 
David Dix, Henry Pratt, Jason Morse, jr., 
Lemuel Mason, Moses Mason, John Marsh, 
Samuel Newell, James Dyer, Joseph Sabin, 
Eleazer Putney, Jedediah Ellis, Israel 
Marsh, Jonathan Mason, Zebina Abbott, 
Elias Plimpton, Duty Marsh, Dennison 
Wlieelock, Gershom Plimpton, jr., Nathan 
Brown, John Holbrook, Ephraim Wheel- 
ock, William Love, Asa Morse, Jonathan 
Perry, Oliver Thayer, Ralph Harding, 
Abesha Sabin, John Plimpton, Thomas 
Cheney, Jesse Morse, Pearley Stone, John 
Mason, Moses Marcy, Edward Morris, 
Theodore Marcy, Joseph Barrett, Ephraim 
Bacon, Enoch Bacon, Cyrus Ammidown 
Ralph Vinton, Jonathan Perry second, 
Ruggles Morse, William Blood, Charles 
Dugan, jr., David Clemons, Alexander 
Brown, Rufus Brown, Gload Dugan, 
Charles Dugan, John Heath, Ebenezer 
Clarke, John Wait, Nathaniel Searle, 
Joseph Barrett, jr., Daniel Morse, Alpheus 
Morse, Jeremiah Morse, Freeman Pratt, 
James Wheelock, John Marcy, Abel 
Mason, jr., Samuel Wetherly, Abisha 
Hooker, Fletcher Foster, Moses Wheel- 
ock, Calvin Wheelock. Moses Foster, Sam- 
uel Bobbins, Jacob Mason. 

In 1787, December 3, Capt. Timothy 
Parker was chosen a delegate to the con- 
vention in Boston, to be held second 
Wednesday in January to consider the re- 
ported constitution of the United States. 

In 1788, Ai^ril 7, highway districts were 
first established with limits, the roads hav- 
ing before been under the superintendance 
of the surveyors acting together. 

Josliua Harding, jr., was chosen repre- 
sentative in 1787 and 1788, and Josiah 
Walker from 1789 to 1797. 

May 10, 1790, upon a petition of Roland 
Clark, and others to be set off as a separate 
school district from the districts No. 5 and 
10, a committee reported that there 
were a number of the iiiliabitants who re- 
ceived but little benefit of schools, and that 
a small district of about ten famiJies, and 
thirty scholars might be made, which 



niSTOET OF SOUTnBRIDGE. 



20 



Avould have four weeks' school in winter, 
and three in summer, etc., and the report 
was accepted. This was the fourth and 
last district estahlished in this town before 
it was incorporated, being the district by 
Mr. Joseph Clarlte. 

In May 1791, Daniel Morse and others 
were exempted from the payment of min- 
ister tax, for two years. 

Until 1791, the school houses had been 
built by subscription, or voluntary contri- 
, bution, but in this year. May 12, upon the 
report of a committee it was voted to build 
and repair school houses by a tax, and in 
1792 £800 was raised for that purpose, and 
£110 for support of schools. 

In May, 1792, Col. Benjamin Freeman 
and others who lived south of the road 
leading from Col. Freeman's house to Dud- 
ley, being within the limits of Charlton, 
petitioned the town to be received as inhab- 
itants of Sturbridge, and the petition was 
granted. How this action of the town 
could answer the purpose I do not know, 
but tlipre was probably a law to sanction 
the proceeding, for it is true that Col. 
Freeman and some others on the south 
side of the road did not attend town meet- 
ings, etc., in Sturbridge, althougli others 
in this village living where the Dresser 
brick store is, and near the Maicy mills 
were required to go to Charlton. 

In 1793, inoculation for the small pox 
was authorized at John Plimpton's, Sim- 
eon Mason's and Joseph Shaw's. 

The foregoing list contains ninety names 
which was probably all, or nearly all the 
legal voters within the limits of the parish. 
Strictly speaking the parish had no limit, 
but was composed of certain persons who 
saw fit to join in the request to be incor- 
porated, but their residence was mostly 
within the bounds of what is now the 
town of Southbridge. Of this whole num- 
ber forty-seven, more than one half, are 
known to have ceased to be among the 
living in the space of thirty-five years, be- 
ing the time since the parish was incoi'po- 
rated. Sixteen have removed from this 
place and probably many of them are not 
living, eleven have either died or removed, 
not having been known to me, I can not 
say which. The remaining sixteen are 
now living in or near this town, viz.. 



Samuel Newell,* Oliver Hooker. Daniel 
Morse, Jason Morse* Moses Mason*, Den- 
nison Wheelock*, Nathan Brown,* Eph- 
raim Wheelock, Ealph Harding, Abislia 
Sabins,* Enoch Bacon,* Cyrus Ammi- 
down,* William Blood,* Alpheus Morse,* 
Freeman Pi-att, Abel Mason, jr.* 

I have mentioned this list of the names of 
those who were members of the old parish, 
which at first may appear to some a dry 
and uninteresting detail, but that list in 
connection with the small number who now 
remain, and the time in which so great a 
change is made, cannot but present to us a 
subject for deep reflection. We here see, 
in the ordinary progress of human affairs 
the passing away of one generation. In 
thirty-five years, more than one half the 
male adults of a given territory are nimi- 
bered with the dead, and of those who re- 
main in the place not more than six con- 
tinue to take any part in general public 
concerns. Such is human life, and such are 
the important facts of history when exam- 
ined and viewed in their appropriate con- 
nection, which place us who are now on 
the stage, as it were upon the pinnacle of 
time's observatory from which, casting our 
view backward or forward for the short 
space of thirty-five years we may contem- 
plate a period probably without the sphere 
of our own brief pilgrimage here on earth. 
By the act of incorporation, Oliver 
Plimpton, Esq., was authorized to call the 
first meeting of the parish, and accordingly 
on the 21st of March 1801, issued a warrant 
to Luther Ammidown, then of Charlton, 
directing him "to notify and warn the in- 
habitants belonging to the new poll parish, 
etc., to meet at the meeting house near 
Col. Benjamin Freeman's on Tuesday, the 
31st of March." The purpose of this meet- 
ing was to organize by choosing parish 
officers, to grant money to supply preach- 
ing, etc., "to see what method the parish 
will take to encourage singing amongst us," 
and to choose some person to take care of 
the meeting house. The meeting was 
held agreeable to the Avarrant, at which 
the following oflSicers were chosen: Lu- 
ther Ammidown, moderator; Joshua Har- 
ding, clerk; Oliver Plimpton, Luther 
Ammidown, John Ammidown, Joshua 



♦Not liviug in 1852. 



30 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



Harding, Daniel "Morse, assessors ; Abel 
Mason, treasurer; David Dix, collector. 
At this meeting it was voted to raise 
money by tax to supply preaching the en- 
suing year. A committee was appointed, 
consisting of Oliver Plimpton, Abel Mason, 
sen , and Calvin Ammidown, "to report 
the sums necessary to be raised, and like- 
wise the appropriation of the meeting 
house amongst the different denomina- 
tions." The committee reported that the 
sum of two hundred and fifty dollars be 
granted and assessed, for the purpose of 
supplying preaching, and fifty dollars for 
contingent charges, and that the Universa- 
lists have the use of the house one fourth 
part of the time, and the other denomina- 
tions the other three fourths, which report 
was accepted by vote. Jonathan Perry, 
Robert Edwards, and John Ammidown 
were chosen a committee "to promote and 
encourage singing," and Capt. William 
liove to take charge of the meeting house. 

I am thus particular in giving the whole 
proceedings at the meeting, because it was 
the first occasion of any business transacted 
in a corporate capacity in this place, and 
more particularly, because it contains the 
first action upon the subject of supplying 
the pulpit, and appropriating the meeting 
house among the different denominations. 
Here was to be a test of the practicability 
of the plan proposed by tho committee of 
1790, whose report it will be recollected had 
reference to the state of things which must 
exist, after the erection of a meeting house. 
It seems that at this meeting all these 
matters were arranged without any diffi- 
culty. A committee of five, consisting of 
Capt Ralph Wheelock, David Dix, Capt. 
Mason, John Ammidown, and Asa Walker 
was chosen to supply preaching for the 
year. There were two Universalists, Mr. 
Dix and Mr. Ammidown, the other three 
were Congregationalists, from which I con- 
clude that the number of Baptists was so 
small, or from some other reason they did 
not claim any voice in the committee. 

Another committee, Oliver Plimpton, 
John Ammidown, and Robert Edwards 
was chosen, "to procure subscriptions of 
money from those persons who live within 
said parish, and did not sign the petition 
for incorporation," those who were mem- 



bers being liable to the tax, which it will be 
recollected was voted at this meeting. 
And here it may be remarked that this tax 
of 1801 was the only one ever voted by the 
parish, or by any other subsequent religious 
society or other body in this town for the 
support of preaching. At the next parish 
meeting, and at every meeting requiring 
measures to be taken for that purpose, a 
committee was appointed to procure sub- 
scriptions. 

At the annual meeting in March, 1802, 
the only matteis worthy of notice are, that 
a committee on the appropriation of the 
meeting house reported "that the Univer- 
salists have the use of said house half the 
time, two months at a time, the other de- 
nominations the other half," etc., which 
report was accepted by vote, also that 
Oliver Hooker, Freeman Pratt, Ralph 
Harding, and Elijah Marcy were chosen 
"to lead the singing." 

This arrangement for "dividing the time 
of the several teachers, proposed to 
preach," it" appears did not prove satisfac- 
tory, and a meeting was called on the 26th 
of April following. "To see if the parish 
will agree to unite in supporting the gospel 
amongst us, or make some different ar- 
rangements from what was done the last 
meeting respecting dividing the time of 
the several teachers proposed to preach 
with us," etc. The meeting was held, but 
nothing was done by way of making a 
different arrangement, except a considera- 
ble discussion," after which a motion was 
made and carried to dissolve the meeting . 

In the warrant for a meeting in January 
1804, an article was inserted, "To see if 
the parish will agree to be set off from the 
several towns to which they now belong, as 
a town by themselves," and upon this 
article, "it was voted by a large majority to 
be set off as a town." The same subject 
was brought up in Mai-ch of the same year 
at the annual meeting, but was not acted 
upon by the meeting. 

In March 1805, it was voted "to let the 
Universalists have the meeting house the 
second Sunday in every month the ensuing 
year." 

In 1806, this arrangement was again 
altered, the Universalists to have one half 
the time. 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDOE. 



31 



In Dec. 1807, a meeting was called, prin- 
cipally to see if the parish will petition the 
general court for an alteration in their act 
of incorporation, and to set them off as a 
parish with lines. 

At the meeting Dec. 17th a committee 
was chosen to draft articles of amendment 
to the act, and it was also "voted to be set 
off as a parish with lines, and choose a 
committee of three to petition the general 
court in behalf of the parish for that pur- 
pose." The committee Avere, Joshua Hard- 
ing, Jason Morse, and Jonathan Perry, 
and Oliver Plimpton were chosen to pre- 
sent the petition to the general court . 

This project of being set off as a parish 
with lines did not succeed, or probably was 
abandoned without much exertion, it being 
intended at, and before that time to apply 
to be incorporated as a town as soon as 
circumstances would justify this measure. 

In August 1811, an attempt was made by 
the call of a special meeting "to have con- 
slant, and regular preaching," but the re- 
sult was only the following rather singular 
vote, viz., "that it be recommended to the 
present miuisterial committee to employ 
Mr. Sawyer a number of Sabbaths, between 
now and next annual meeting." 

In Nov., 1811, upon the request of sever- 
al individuals, a special meeting was called 
by the assessors, "to see if said parish will 
petition the next general court to be set off 
from the several towns of which they are 
composed, to be a town by themselves, by 
the name of ." 



agent lo present to the next general court 
the petition and old plan of said parish, for 
the purpose expressed in said petition, 
bearing with him a copy of the votes of 
said parish, relative to being set off, etc., 
and, "that the committee to whom was en- 
trusted said petition enter the name of 
in blank, for the proposed town." 



At this meeting, Nov. 2.5, it was "voted 
to be set off as a town, also voted to choose 
a committee of three, viz., Joshua Hard- 
ing, Luther Ammidown, and Reuben Har- 
rington to take charge of a petition to be 
sent to the general court." The subject 
was further postponed to the annual 
meeting to be held in March following, at 
which it was, "voted to have three in addi- 
tion to the committee relative to being set 
off as a town, whose duty is to have the 
petition copied off anew, and the plan of 
the proposed town improved, in order to be 
sent to the general court. The additional 
committee were Oliver Hooker, George 
Sumner, and Asa Walker. This meeting 
was adjourned to May 19, and it was then 
"voted to choose Gershom Plimpton as 



This vote, as recorded was indeed a singu 
lar one, and how it could be complied with, 
I cannot understand. The truth, however 
is, that the business of fixing upon a name 
for this new town was attended with no 
little difficulty, as will be seen in the se- 
quel. 

It may here be observed that in all the 
efforts of the parish to become a town, 
there was great opposition on the part of 
Sturbridge, Charlton and Dudley, but more 
particularly from the first named town, on 
account of the larger share of territory which 
they were likely to lose. The object there- 
fore of the petitioners was not accom- 
plished without much trouble, delay and 
expense, and the agent first appointed not 
succeeding in that year, at the annual 
meeting March 30, 1813, and adjourned to 
May 17, James Wolcott, jr.. was appointed 
agent, and Oliver Hooker and Oliver 
Plimpton assistants, the first to attend the 
general court, and the others to advise and 
consult with him on the subject of the pe- 
tition. There was still delay, the object 
was not accomplished, and in December 
1813. by request, a special meeting was 
called, to be held January 11, 1814, "To see 
if the parish will choose an agent," etc. 
At the meeting it was voted to postpone 
choosing an agent, and to choose a com- 
mittee of five to make a new draft of peti- 
tion, etc., and to obtain as many signers as 
possible previous to the2.5lh inst., and the 
meeting was adjourned to that time. 

At the adjourned meeting Gershom 
Plimpton was appointed agent to attend 
the present session of the general court, 
and present the petition and plan, and he 
was "authorized to act and transact any- 
thing and everything necessary, and rela- 
tive towards carrying into effect the prayer 
of said petition in his power." 

It seems by the peculiar and strong terms 
used in this vote, that the people had be- 
come impatient at their continual failures, 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



and that the measure which suggested it- 
self at all times, as most likely to insure 
success was to have a new agent, and in 
this instance, to confer upon him unlimited 
authority to act, and transact any, and 
everything. But all this did not answer 
the purpose, and at the next annual meet- 
ing, March 29, 1814, Oliver Plimpton was 
chosen an agent, "to attend the next 
session of the general court, and use his 
endeavors to obtain an order of notice, or 
at least an examining committee, for busi- 
ness relative to being set off as a town." 
It was here probably that the first step was 
taken which would prove an entering 
wedge in establishing the town, viz., the 
request for an examining committee. 
This could not be refused, especially as it 
was to be at the expense of the petitioners, 
and there was so little doubt that a com- 
mittee would be granted, that a special 
meeting was called. May 17, 1814, to adopt 
measures with reference to the visits of the 
committee. A committee of five Avas 
chosen to wait on the court's committee, 
and pay the expense. An additional agent 
was chosen to attend the general court, viz. 
Maj. Calvin Ammidown. A committee 
was chosen to survey the parish again more 
accurately, and a committee of seven to 
draft a new petition, and circulate it. 

Another special meeting was called, Dec. 
6, 1814, at which Jason Morse was chosen 
as an additional agent, and Joshua Hard- 
ing, Gershom Plimpton, and Fordyce Fos- 
ter appointed a committee to draft an act 
of incorporation. At this meeting also 
came u\) the important subject of determin- 
ing upon a name for the new town, and 
from some trivial circumstances the discus- 
sion of this point led to greater warmth of 
passion, excitement, and violence than was 
ever before, or since witnessed in this place 
at any public meeiing. It was, however, 
at last voted that, "each one bring for- 
ward his favorite name for the proposed 
town, and that one be selected from the 
list," and a committee of five was chosen 
for the purpose of making this selection . 
This committee were, Abel Mason, sen., 
Joshua Harding, Gershom Plimpton, 
Fordyce Foster, and Jacob Endicott. The 
meeiing was adjourned for half an hour, 
for the deliberations of this committee. 



On meeting after adjournment the commit- 
tee reported the names of Southbridge and 
Quinebaug, for the consideration of the 
parish, and Southbridge obtained the vote. 
I have always understood that South- 
bridge was the name proposed by the ven- 
erable Capt . Abel Mason, sen. 

This important matter was not yet set- 
tled, however. The meeting it seems was 
adjourned for some other purpose to the 
3d of January 1815, and was held accor- 
dingly on that day. The committee ap- 
pointed to survey the parish made a report 
which was accepted, and a committe was 
chosen to meet the Dudley committee rela- 
tive to the proposed line between that 
town and the new one, also it was voted 1o 
amend the third section of the act of incor- 
poration by inserting a provision for secur- 
ing our proportion of legacies and bequests 
due, or belonging to either of the three 
towns. The exciting subject of a name 
was again brought up, and it was "voted 
to reconsider the name of Soutlibridge, and 
insert the name of Vienna. A committee 
of three was appointed to invite those that 
remonstrated against being set off. The 
occasion of the appointment of this com- 
mittee was that several persons in Charl- 
ton, who were inchuled in the east part of 
the new town according to the lines, as 
petitioned for, remonstated to the general 
court against being set off in the new 
town, which at this stage of the proceed- 
ings, caused much difficulty, trouble and 
delay, in finally determining the easterly 
line of the town. 

The meeting of January 3d was again 
adjourned to the 20th. Here it was once 
more voted to reconsider the name of 
Vienna, and insert the name Southbridge, 
and it was further voted, "that if there be 
any other town by the name of Southbridge 
in this commonwealth, that Newburgh or 
Newbern be substituted." There was 
however no other town by that name, and 
thus by this last vote, after so much 
rough handling, and so many hairbreadth 
escapes, perhaps from eternal oblivion, the 
name of Southbridge finally triumphed 
over all enemies and opposition, and es- 
tablished its claim to the first rank and 
highest place in all the tens of thousands 
of epistles which should go forth from our 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



33 



little territory from and after tlie 15tli of 
February 1816, in all after time. 

The new town liad now got a "name," 
but as I have here intimated, it had not 
yet its "local habitation." Although the 
business was in a fair way to a successful 
termination, yet the difficulties with the 
Charlton remonstrants and others in rela- 
tion to a part of the petitioners in Dudley 
living east of John Ammidown's, who it 
was found at last must be left out, by the 
decision of the court's committee, these 
and other things caused embarrassment 
and delay. At the annual March meeting 
in 1815, Calvin Ammidown, Fred'k W. 
Bottom, and James Wolcott were appointed 
agents to carry on the business of the pro- 
posed new town, and it became necessary 
to have a second committee from the gen- 
eral court. This committee consisted of 
Dr. Starkweather, the celebrated Dr. 
Noah Webster, (author of Webster's spell- 
ing book, third part the American diction- 
ary, etc. ) It became necessary also to send 
one of the agents to a part of this com- 
mittee in the recess of the legislature with 
a plan of such lines as it was tliought 
would be accepted by the inhabitants of 
the parish, and to see if it was thought 
reasonable by the committee. This last 
court committee came out in Oct., 1815, for 
the purpose of holding a meeting in each 
of the three towns to hear all parties, and 
finally settle the point as to the lines, what 
individuals should be left in the old towns, 
etc. Those who did not wish to come in 
from Charlton were excluded. They were, 
I think, Jesse Merrit, Royal Ellis, and 
Eliakim Chamberlain, and perhaps one or 
two others, all of whom, I believe, have 
since regretted that they did not come into 
this town. 

In the part of Dudley, Otis Ammidown 
and several of the Cheneys, who were 
among the petitioners, were excluded, but 
it was agreed by vote that the part then set 
off would assist them afterwards, and pay 
the expenses of obtaining an additional act 
to annex them to Southbridge, and as soon 
as it was thought proper they petitioned, 
and in 1852 were annexed to this town . 

The "act to incorporate the town of 
Southbridge," was approved by the govern- 



or, and thus became a law February 15, 
1816*. 

The first town meeting was called by a 
warrant from Oliver Plimpton, Esq., and 
held March 6, 1816, at which the town was 
organized by the appointment of all neces- 
sary officers, etc. 

In the subsequent transactions of the 
town, committees were appointed to meet 
similar committees from Sturbridge, 
Charlton, and Dudley, for the purpose of 
making a division of town property. . This 
division will show the relative proportion 
which the property set off from each town 
bore to the whole towns as they existed 
before. 

Charlton, about one-tenth — amount to be 
divided $1,059.10; belonging to South- 
bridge $100.15. 

Sturbridge, about one-fifth — amount to 
be divided $524.38; belonging to South- 
bridge $112 .57. 

Dudley, about one-sixth — amount to be 
divided $854 .38 ; belonging to Southbridge 
$58.65. 

In Sturbridge it was found that the 
whole number of ratable polls was 476, 
about one-third of which were set off to 
Southbridge, 151, and also that the whole 
valuation was $19,514, and in Southbridge 
$5,027, or a little more than one-fourth. 

The population of this town was in 
1820, 1066; in 1830, as given in the last 
census, 1444. 

At other periods the population of our 
territory may probably be estimated about 
as follows, from the best data I can obtain : 
In 1801, between 450 and 500; in 1816, the 
time of our incorporation nearly, 900, and 
the present number is probably not much 
short of 1800. 

There was a new arrangement of school 
districts in 1816, in which the Clobe dis- 
trict was made from a part of what had 
been the centre district, and a part of the 
Charlton territory. The school house in 
the centre, which then stood where Mrs. 
Clemence now lives was located where it is 
near the Baptist meeting house . The first 
house was burnt in 1828, and rebuilt the 
same year on the same ground. The 
other districts in the Sturbridge part re- 

*In a short time the name of Honest town 
was bat seldom mentioned. 



34 



HISTOEY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



niained nearly as they were before, and 
there was one distj'ict mostly from Dudley, 
and one half district from Charlton mak- 
ing six whole and one half district, and 
these have not since been materially 
altered, excepting that in the centre and 
Globe districts, the increase of scholars has 
made it necessary to resort to a division of 
the scholars, and to employ two or more 
teachers. 

And here I am admonished that having 
already occupied too much time in relating 
things which may appear less interesting 
to this audience than they have to me, and 
having endeavored to trace out the various 
steps by which we became a town, I must 
omit any further notice of public proceed- 
ings as a town. 

And by way of apology, in making which 
I dare not use but a few words, I must 
observe that one great difficulty in prepar- 
ing this narrative has been to condense 
the materials, and mould them into some- 
thing like reasonable dimensions. In this 
I have not succeeded as I wished, and 
could not without abandoning the course, 
and changing the plan which I at first 
marked out, I know full well, and was 
awai-e of it before I finished, that three 
quarters of an hour is as long as I ought to 
detain you, but I could not bring it within 
that compass. 

The remaining subjects will be noticed 
as briefly as possible, which are : 

The ecclesiastical affairs of the parish 
and town. 

The progress of business, trade, etc. 

The progress of literature, the lyceum, 
and temperance associations. 

The names of some of the first inhabi- 
tants, and times of their commencing, and 
characters and anecdotes of a very few, 
and all I have been able to obtain. 

I have before stated that the first meet- 
ing for public worship was April G, 1800. 
In that year there were five different 
preachers: Rev. Alvan Underwood, 12 
Sabbaths: Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, 15; Rev. 
Mr. Larned of Charlton, 2; Rev. Timothy 
Williams, 1; Rev. Mr. Bromley, 2, in all 
32 Sabbaths in nine months. 

In 1801, 17 ministers preached 39 Sab- 
baths; Mr. Underwood, 2; Mr. Leonard, 8; 
Mr. Bromley, 1; Hosea Ballou, 1; Mr. 



Tm-ner, 8; Mr. Sabins, Mr. Sanders, Mr. 
Allen, Mr. Brown, Mr. Graves of Wood- 
stock, Ezra Williams, Mr. Andrews, Mr. 
Loomis, each one Sabbath ; Mr. Bisco, 2 ; 
Mr. Thurber, 2; Thaddeus Fairbanks, -5; 
Mr. Coddington of Holland, 2. 

In this year, Sept. 16, the Congregational 
church was established and organized; 
deacons, Asa Walker and Daniel Morse. 
There were 21 members, 8 males and 13 
females: Asa Walker, Daniel Morse, Elias 
Plimpton, Fletcher Foster, Abel Mason, 
Jason Morse, Samuel Ellis, Deborah Free- 
man, Anne Dresser, Lois Foster, Rachel 
Foster, Experience Wheelock, Lucy Mason, 
Mary Mason, Abigail Ellis, Phebe Morse, 
Jemima Harding, Ruth Mason, Mary 
Chamberlain. 

In 1802, there were 12 ministers, and 35 
meetings, or preaching on 35 Sabbaths: 
Mr. Underwood, 2; Mr. Leonard, 5; Mr. 
Larned, 3; Mr. Furver, 8; Mr. Fairbanks, 
4; Mr. Loomis, 6; Mr. Lane of Sturbridge 
2 ; Joshua Flagg, 2 ; John Nichols, 1 ; Mr. 
Lyman of Woodstock, 1 ; Mr. Phillips and 
Daniel Marten, one half day each. 

In 1803, 6 ministers preached 33 Sabbaths : 
Mr. Leonard, 6; Mr. Larned, 11; Mr. 
Ballou, 1; Mr. Turner, 11; Mr. Flagg, 3; 
Mr. Murray of Boston, 1, 

In 1804, 9 ministers, 31 Sabbaths: Mr. 
Underwood, 1; Mr. Leonard, 5; Mr. 
Larned, 4; Mr. Turner, 12; Mr. Fairbanks, 
5; Ezra Williams, 1; Mr. Flagg, 1; Mr. 
Wild, 1; Mr. Whipple of Charlton, 1. 

In this year there was a convention or 
association of Universalists, attended by 
Mr. Murray of Boston, Mr. Ballou, Leland, 
Streeter, etc. 

In 1805, 5 ministers, 25 Sabbaths : Mr. 
Leonard, 7; Mr. Turner, 10; Mr. Fair- 
banks, 6 ; Mr. Coddington, 1 ; Ezra Wil- 
liams, 1. 

In 1806, 7 ministers, 23 Sabbaths; Mr. 
Underwood, 1 ; Mr. Leonard, 4 ; Mr. Tur- 
ner, 8; Mr. Fairbanks, 5; Mr. Wild, 1; 
David Batchellor, 1 ; Mr. Judson, 3. 

In 1807, 8 ministers, 28 Sabbaths: Mr. 
Leonard, 8; Mr. Ballou, 1; Mr. Tiu-ner, 3; 
John Nichols, 10; Mr. Wild, 1; Mr. Whip- 
ple, 1; Mr. Riddle, 3; Mr. Noyes, 1. 

In 1808, 8 ministers, 25 Sabbaths; Mr. 
Underwood, 1; Mr. Leonard, 3; Mr. Tur- 
ner, 3; Elijah Sabin, 1; John Nichols, 12; 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



William Graves, 1; Mr. Wilson, 3; Mr. 
Sampson, 1. 

In 1809, 6 ministers, including Dea. 
Grosvenor, 18 Sabbaths and more, etc.: 
Mr. Turner, 2 ; John Nichols, 1 ; Mr. Whip- 
ple, 1; David Batchellor, 0; Mr. Wilson, 2; 
Dea. Nathan Grosvenor, who read ser- 
mons and carried on the meetings G Sab- 
baths, and also from Sept. 24 to the end of 
year. 

In 1810, Mr, Grosvenor. read sermons as 
last year from April 5th, to June 1st, be- 
sides which there were 7 ministers, 19 Sab- 
baths : Mr. Flagg, 1 ; Mr. Whipple, 1 ; Mr. 
Lamson, 1; Salmon Hebard, 1; Mr. Whit- 
ney, 1; Elisha Sweet, 13; Mr. Pomeroy, 1. 

In 1811, 13 ministers, 28 Sabbaths: Mr. 
Underwood, 1; Mr. Bolles (q 11); Mr. 
Smith, 1 ; Mr. Moon, 1 ; Mr. Fay, 1 ; Mr. 
Sawyer, 1 ; Luke B. Foster, 1 ; John Nich- 
ols, 11; Mr. Whipple, 1; Mr. Batchellor, 2; 
Mr. Wilson, 2; Dea. Grosvenor, 1; Mr. 
Sweet, 4,. 

In 1812, 14 ministers, 22 1-2 Sabbaths: 
Mr. Leonard, 1-2 ; Abiel Williams, 1 ; Mr. 
Bolles (qll); Mr. Moon, 6; Mr. Fay. 1; 
Mr. Angell, 1; Ezra Williams, 1; Mr. 
Clark, 1 ; Mr. Kimball, 1 ; Mr. Lane, 1 ; Mr. 
Rice, 2 ; Phileman Memger, 1 ; Mr. Samp- 
son, 1 ; Luke B. Foster, 4. 

In 1813, 11 ministers, 20 Sabbaths: Mr. 
Leonard, 2 ; Mr. Fay, 2 ; Mr. Angell, 1 ; Mr. 
Lane, 1 ; Mr. Batchellor, 2 ; Doc. Austin, 1 ; 
Jordan Dodge, 1; Mr. Woodruff, 4; Ste- 
phen Haskell, 1 ; Mr. Comique. 1 ; John 
Fuller or Taylor, 4. 

In 1814, 8 ministers, 27 Sabbaths: Mr. 
Leonard, 7; Mi. Angell, 7; Mr. Knight, 6; 
Mr. Field, 2 ; Mr. Branch, 1 ; Mr. Batchel- 
lor, 1; Stephen Williams, 2; Mr. Bently, 1. 

In 1815, 13 ministers, 49 Sabbaths ; Mr. 
Park, 20; Mr. Underwood, 1; Mr. Leonard, 
1; Mr. Rich, 9; Mr. Mills, 1; Mr. Angell, 1; 
Mr. Lane, 2; Mr.Johnson, 1; Mr. Whipple, 
5; Mr. Batchellor, 3; Mr. Smith, 2; Mr. 
Bates, 1; Mr. Backus. 2. 

In 1816, 11 ministers, 43 1-2 Sabbaths: 
Mr. Park, 17 1-2; Mr. Leonard, 1; Abial 
Williams, 2 ; Mr. Spooner, 1 ; Mr. Putnam, 
1; Mr. Angell, 15; Esek Brown, 1; Mr. 
Branch, 1 ; Mr. Whipple, 1 ; Mr. Batchellor, 
1 ; Mr. Backus, 2. 

In this period of sixteen years there 
were seventy-four different ministers, em- 



bracing the denominations of Congrega- 
tionalists. Baptists, Universalists, and 
Methodists, and you will have observed 
that the number of Sabbaths on Avhicli 
there was public worship, from 1805 to 
1814 did not average more than half in 
each year, and if it were not known to 
have been the fact, it might readily be sup- 
posed, that in a place like this, remote 
from any otlier convenient place of attend- 
ing church, to be destitute of any preach- 
ing one half of the time would naturally 
lead to an habitual disregard of the Sab- 
bath ; such a state of things could not but 
be unfavorable to the character and morals 
of the inhabitants, of the youth in particu- 
lar. 

As soon as it was determined that we 
were to become a town, if a proper regard 
for the welfare of the community were not 
sufficient, there were other circumstances 
which tended to hasten measures for the 
settlement of a minister . 

The meeting house was owned, and had 
always before been occuijied by different 
denominations, and it now became a ques- 
tion if a minister was to be settled, of 
which denomination he should be. And 
here I regret to say, there were some pro- 
ceedings such as preparations for using 
force in obtaining the occupation of the 
house. Such things if countenanced by 
those who profess to be engaged in the 
cause of religion confer no credit, and can 
be of no service to that cause. They be- 
long rather to the class of partizan wrang- 
ling. A moment's consideration could not 
but suggest to all the fact, that there were 
rights and property, in this question, 
without a proper regard to which on all 
sides, no minister could be settled in that 
house. This was soon discovered, and ar- 
rangements Avere made, by which tlie Coii- 
gregationalists sold their interest in the 
meeting house to the Baptists, and those 
wlio associated with them. 

Mr. Park preached most of the time in 
181(), until 23d, when the Congregational- 
ists left the meeting house, and held their 
first separate meeting at the dwelling 
house of Mr. Brown, (near the elm 
trees.) They continued to hold meet- 
ings at this house, until they erected the 
house now owned by Dr. Hartwell (in 



36 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



which was used for public worship until 
he South meetiag house was erected in 
1821. The Congregational society was in- 
corporated December 13, 1816, and on the 
18th of December of that year Mr. Park 
was ordained as pastor of the church and 
society, in which place he continued six- 
teen years until Dec. 18 1832, when he was 
dismissed by his own request. 

Rev. Henry I. Lamb was ordained as 
pastor of the same, June 6, 1833, and dis- 
missed April 23, 1835, at his own request, 
but continued to preach till the 6th of 
June. There was constant preaching dur- 
ing the season, and a part of the time by 
candidates for settlement, among whom 
was Rev. Eber Carpenter, the present pas- 
tor, who was ordained Dec. 1, 1835. 

After the Congregationalists sold their 
interest in the meeting house. Rev. George 
Angell supplied the pulpit principally, and 
on the 27th of August, 1816, he was installed 
as pastor. 

The Baptist church was established 
January 29, 1817. It then consisted of 
26 members, (males and females). There 
are how, I understand, 179 members. Mr. 
Angell died Feb. 18, 1827. 

Rev. Adison Parker was in&talled Aug- 
8, 1827, and continued till Dec. 2, 1832. 

Rev. David C. Bolles was installed March 
12, 1833, and his connection as pastor con- 
tinued till May 1, 1835. 

Rev. Joseph G. Binney, the present pas- 
tor, commenced his labors as pastor Au- 
gust 23, 1835. 

The Baptist society was incorporated by 
the name of the First Baptist society in 
Southbridge, January 29th, 1822.* 

While Mr. Bolles was pastor arrange- 
ments had been made to repair the meet- 
ing house by taking out all the interior 
pews, etc., and erecting slips; and byre- 
moving the former steeple, and erecting a 
new one. 

The pastors of both of these societies ap- 
pear to enjoy the confidence and esteem 
of the people ; and it is hoped that their la- 
bors may be the means of advancing the 
cause of true religion, and of instilling such 
principles as will tend to strengthen the 

*An association or society was formed, and 
a constitution, or by-laws adopted, May 1, 1816. 



virtue, and improve the character of our 
growing population. 

It may be well to mention liere, that at 
the time the parish was established in 1801, 
arrangements were made for a place to de- 
posit tlie remains of the dead. It did not 
long remain unoccupied, for the year 1801 
was a season of sickness and death among 
the inhabitants of this place, particularly 
the children. 

The first death after the burial ground 
was prepared, and consequently the first 
inliabitants were: 1801, August 8th, Oliver 
Plimpton, jr. ; Aug. 9th, Edwin Plimpton ; 
10th, Fanny Plimpton; 20th, Dwight P. 
Clarke; 25th, Louisa Plimpton. The first 
and last named were Oliver Plimpton's 
children, the second and third, children of 
Gershom Plimpton, the other a child of 
Ebenezer Clark. From that time to the 
first of January, there were many other 
deaths, and among them some of the prin- 
cipal men of the parish, Mr. Jeremiah 
Shumway, Oct. 24th, and Lieut. Robert Ed- 
wards, Nov. 21st. 

In passing to notice the business of the 
place, the time admits only of the bare state- 
ment of a few dates, in relation to some 
parts. 

The first and principal business of this, 
as of most places, was clearing lands, and 
preparing farms for cultivation. This lias 
progressed in the ordinary course. 

I'he first store (unless there was one at. 
or before that time, kept by Mr. Luther 
Ammidown near his late residence) was 
kept by Oliver Plimpton, Esq., (in company 
with Maj. Ellis, of Medfield), commenced 
selling goods in 1791, in one of tlie rooms 
of his dwelling house ; but this location, as 
may well be supposed, was not very agree- 
able to the female department, and in about 
a year afterwards he built a store near his 
house, which was for many years the 
principal place of trade for the westerly part 
of this town, although much of the trade 
was at the store of Newell and Upham in 
Sturbridge. At first he found great diffi- 
culty in obtaining license, as there was at 
that time probably more patriotism, and 
less taste for foreign gewgaws than at the 
present day. 

After several years, this store was dis- 
continued, and Oliver Plimpton, Doctor 



ITTSTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



:n 



Wolcott, and others established a store in 
this village, at the place where the brick 
store of Luther and Holmes Animidown 
is now situated, and in the building which 
they removed, and the business lias been 
continued at that jilace by different persons. 

In about ISK) or 1811 Fordyce Foster and 
James Wolcott, jr., establi-^hed a store at 
the place where the Dresser block now 
stands. This was continued until about 
I8I0, when James Wolcott, jr., and Perez 
B. Wolcott erected a store at the place 
where the North Tavern or Temperance 
house stands. This was purchased by the 
Globe Manufacturing company in 1814, and 
by tliem occupied as a store until 1817, 
when it was sold to Maj. Calvin Ammi- 
down, and the building was enlarged and 
converted into a tavern. 

In about 1816 the store now occupied by 
Plimpton tt Lane was established, and 'the 
business for some time carried on by Calvin 
Ammidown, Larkin Ammidown, and 
others, until a division of the property, 
which took place in about 1817. 

Since that lime otlier stores have been 
established in different parts of the town, 
"too numerous to mention." 

But it was the waters of Quinebaugwliich 
were destined to put new life and vigor into 
tlie business of this town. For several 
years previous to 1811 and 1812 individuals 
from abroad liad frequently been here to 
examine, and make calculations for erect- 
ing manufacturing establishments. 

Tlie first cotton factory in tliis vicinity, 
was at tlie place tliat is now called West- 
ville. It was built in 1811 by an incorpo- 
rated company. The owners were Rev. Mr. 
Leonard, Jolm Plimpton, Stephen Newell, 
Moses Fiske, Jephtlia and Zeba Plimpton, 
Nathaniel and Franklin Rider. Capital 
about 0,000 dollars. It afterwaixls sold to a 
new company, (in part the former owners) 
viz: Ira Carpenter, James Bliss, Ezra Per- 
ry, Ezra Perry, jr., David Atherton, Mr. 
Leonard, John Plimpton, Moses Fiske, and 
St eplien Newell . 

It was afterwards sold to Josf'iih S. Glad- 
ding, and Andrew Young, jr., in 1822, and 
by them sold to Jolin Mason in 1824, by 
whom it was sold to James Wolcott, jr., 
Samuel A. Groves, and Samuel IT. Judson, 
in tlie same year, and it was purchased by 



the iDresent ownei's in 1833, Mr. Plimpton, 
Doctor John Seabury, Samuel H. Judson, 
afterwards incorporated as Westville Man- 
ufacturing company. 

The factory now owned by the Dresser 
Manufacturing company, was put in opera- 
tion in 1814, 

The owners were Jolm Green, of Rliode 
Island, and William Sumner, llie latter hav- 
ing tlie care of the business and living in 
this town. ■ This privilege was owned in 
part by Maj. George Sumner, wlio erected 
clotliing works below tlie cotton factory, 
and tliat business and wool carding was 
continued until the whole became the prop- 
erty of S.H. Babcock, of Boston, by whom 
it was sold to Harvey Dresser. After the 
purchase in 1833, it was greatly enlarged 
and improved by filling up witli new ma- 
chinery. It now belongs to a corporation 
by the name of tlie "Dresser Manufacturing 
company." 

At about the same time in whicli tliis 
factory was first erected, a woolen factory 
was put in oiieration, near the old bridge. 
It was at first called the "Charlton Woolen 
Manufacturing company," and in 1810 it 
passed into the liands of some diiferent 
owners, viz: Jeremiali Shumway, Benja. 
min F. Sliumway, Joseph Marcy, Timothy 
Paige, jr., and Reuben Harrington, and was 
incorporated by the name of tlie "Soutli- 
bridge Manufacturing company," Sucli 
lias been the combined operation of fires, 
misfortunes and perhaps other equally pow- 
erful causes, that nothing is now left to pre- 
serve tlie memory of this woolen factory, 
excepting some considerable amount of old 
debts and executions against the company 
unpaid and consigned to out of "Profit and 
Loss." 

The business of manufacturing at the 
"Globe Village," so called, was commenced 
in 1814. The spinning was commenced in 
the old mill, which stood near tlie road, on 
the South side. Tlie first owners were 
Thomas Upham, David Fiske, Samuel 
Newell, James Wolcott, jr., Perez B. Wol- 
cott, Josiali I. Fiske, Frances Wheelock, 
Ephraim Angell, Moses Plimpton, and 
Samuel S. Newell, a part of whom were in- 
corporated by the name of the "Globe 
Manufacturing company," in Oct., 1814, 
The factory building below the road was 



38 



ITLSTORY OF SOUTHBRIDCiE. 



erected in 1815. It was at fii'st and until 
1817 a cotton factory. In 1817 there was a 
division of tlie property among tlie owners ; 
the South side heing talcen by James Wol- 
cott, Perez B. Wolcott, Sanmel A. Groves, 
and Epliraim Angell, and the other side 
by the remaining ijroprietors. Additions 
were soon made to the Soutli side, and the 
woolen business established, and in 1820 the 
owners of the other side, who still com- 
posed the'*Globe Manufacturing company," 
sold out the whole of their property to Mr. 
Wolcott and his company . This company 
sold the cotton machinery to the Columbian 
Manufacturing company in 1821. 

After the purchase from the Globe Man- 
ufacturing conipany in Feb., 1820, James 
Wolcott, jr., Perez B. Wolcott, and Samuel 
A. Groves were incorporated by the name 
of the Wolcott Woolen Manufacturing 
company, and the company was increased 
by new proprietors in Boston, who made 
investments to considerable amoimt. After 
the great misfortune occasioned by the fall- 
ing of the dam, and the destruction of 
property it occasioned, the Boston owners 
determined to abandon the concern, and 
get rid of their interest. In 1829 it passed 
into the hands of Messrs. Sayles and Hitch- 
cock, of Boston, and in 1832 they obtained, 
a new act of incorporation by the name of 
the "Hamilton Woolen company," and the 
establishment is now owned by this com- 
pany, though with some recent changes of 
proprietors. That village is still called the 
"Globe," which name it will i^robably con- 
tinue to bear from the name of the iirst 
company established in 1814. 

The Columbian Manufacturing company 
was first established as a firm, consisting of 
Calvin Ammidown, Ebenezer D. Ammi- 
down, Moses Plimpton, Samuel Hartwell, 
and Samuel L. Newell, m 1821, and the 
factory, etc., was erected in that year. It 
was incorporated in 1826, consisting of 
Eben D. Ammidown, Moses Plimpton, 
Samuel Hartwell, and Stilman Plimpton. 

The business and establishment have at 
different times been increased, and it may 
be stated of all the manufacturing estab- 
lishments herein mentioned, that when 
first started and for several years after the 
machinery did not exceed from one eighth 
to one fourth the amount they now contain. 



The factory of Larkin Ammidown was 
erected in 18:32, I think. The machinery 
has since been increased by the addition of 
looms, etc. 

The introduction of manufacturing in 
this place in 1S12 to 1814 may be considered 
as the great cause or first step in the rapid 
increase of business and population in this 
town, xis an illustration it need only be 
remarked, that previous to that time there 
were not more than ten dwelling houses 
within one fourth of a mile of the Baptist 
meeting house. At the Globe village the 
houses of Capt. Newell, Gershom Plimpton, 
and Samuel Fiske, were the only dwellings. 
There was no such thing as teaming, as a 
regular busiiiess, and a four horse team 
had never been seen here. The merchants 
and manufacturers occasionally hired two 
horses, and sometimes, though not often, 
three of different persons, and a wagon, 
and sent after their goods, cotton, etc. There 
are now within the distance mentioned 
from the village about 50 dwelling houses, 
and at the Globe village nearly 20. The 
transportation of stock for manufacturing 
and of merchandise, etc., keeps in constant 
employment three teams of four and six 
horses, besides a large amount of transpor- 
tation done by farmers and others for 
themselves. 

The first measure for the promotion of 
temperance, by means of an association, 
was in 1827. In November of that year a 
society was formed upon a principle of 
temperate drinking. It was highly approved 
and there was no difficnlty in getting mem- 
bers; every person, no matter what had 
been his habits, was perfectly willing to 
sign the pledge to drink temperately. It was 
so easy to perform the requirement without 
any change, it being a well known fact that 
every drunkard is in his own estimation a 
temperate drinker. It was soon found 
however, that the only effect of this society 
was to leave men just where they were be- 
fore, all temperate drinkers in their own 
opinions. 

In Dec, 1820. the Temperance Society 
which now exists, formed upon the iirinci- 
ples of total abstinence from the use of 
spirits, was established. From the few 
who first joined it has been receiving addi- 
tions to its members, till they now amnout 



HISTORY OF SOUTIIBRIDGE. 



39 



to more than 500 aclherinir ;iiul active mem- 
bers Avithin tlie town. 

In literature there is nothinfjj worthy of 
particular notice in our history, morn tlian 
has been related in the the notice of oui- 
common schools, except that In Oct., 1820, 
the Southbridge Lyceum was established, 
being among the first association of the 
kind in this state. Its meetings were held 
during the winter season from October 
to March every year till Feb., 18;M, when 
they were discontinued. This, and the 
Young Men's association at the Globe vil- 
lage, the principal exercises in which were 
discussions and debates upon questions 
previously proposed, have unquestionably 
been rhe means of much improrement to 
those who have attended the meetings . 
Something of the kind ought to be sus- 
tained. 

Prior to 1836 the following were the only 
persons who had a liberal education be- 
longing within the bounds of Southbridge : 
Daniel Fiske Harding, son of Joshua Har- 
ding jr., and Jemima (Fiske) ; William Lar- 
ned Marcy, son of Jedediah Marcy, jr., and 
Ruth (Larned); and Comfort Dix, son of 
David Dix, great grandson of Col. Moses 
Marcy.* 

I have mentioned tlie subject of roads, 
but time will not permit an attempt to 
give any account of particulars in establish- 
ing them. In general, it may be said, that 
when the place was first settled, there was 
much to do in laying out roads. At almost 
every town meeting there were several new 
ones to be established or others to be al- 
tered. Most of our old roads were fixed 
nearly where they now are, from 174;J to 
1775. The bridge near the Westville fac- 
tory was called "Dennison's bridge" ; that 
and the others were frequently carried 
away by freshets in tlie spring, and it is 
said by some that the name of Sturbridge 
was suggested by tlie circumstance that 
the fresliets always carried off the bridges. 

Tlie road from Dennison (or Westville) 
bridge towafds this village was laid out 
and accepted, March, 174.'!; by Jonathan 
I. Ammidowii's and Grosvenor Marsh's, in 
1750; from Westville bridge by tlie Foster 

*Atterwanl^ Coiupliollfr.dovernor ami Judfje 
of ti'uperlor Court of J>"ew York and Secretary 
of War. 



place, south, same year; from Westville, 
by Lovell Morse's, in 1754; from the bridge 
at Globe Village, north, by John McKin- 
slry's, in 1750; from Lovell Morse's (then 
James Dennison's) by Ralph Harding's to 
the other road, 1750; from Woodstock line 
"south of Col. Marcy's new sawmill" (the 
Nathan Brown mill) to Joseph Clark's, 
1771; from Woodsiock line by Alpha 
Morse's to Freeman Pratt's, in 1772; and 
in the same year a short piece of road from 
the main road in the village, towards the 
Marcy mills to Charlton line, which crossed 
between Mr. UndcM-wood's and tlie old 
bridge. 

These are all the roads I noticed in look- 
ing over the records of Sturbridge. 

It now remains for me to speak more 
particularly than I have yet done of some 
of the first settlers in different parts of tlie 
town, and although this portion of the sub- 
ject may appear to have belonged more 
properly to the commencement, I have 
thought proper to introduce it at the close 
of this lecture. I must therefore, for a few 
moments, ask you to go back a little more 
than a century among our ancestors. 

You will recollect t"liat on a former oc- 
casion I stated that the settlement of this 
town and Sturbridge was commenced in 
1731 and 1732. So far as I can ascertain, 
tlie four first persons who arrived were 
Joseph Smith, James Dennison, Joseph 
Cheney, and David Morse, which was in 
1730 or 1731. I think David Morse began at 
tlie place now owned by Capt. Mason, as I 
find that in 1737 Jonathan Mason bought 
of him land "with a dwelling house", that 
is probably a log cabin. With two or three 
exceptions, I shall confine myself to those 
who are known to have remained in what 
is now this town . 

James Dennison then was the first. For 
one or two years he made his lonely habi- 
tation in a kind of cave formed by rocks , 
now to be seen on the hill east of the road 
leading from Lovell Morse's by Mr. Denni- 
son Wheelock's. It is said he got alarmed 
at some noise about his premises one night, 
and supposing that a bear or some other 
animal had designs unfavorable to him he 
did not afterward continue there nights. 

Mr. Dennison moved his wife from Med- 
field, the town from which he canie,in May. 



40 



HISTORY OF SOUTHB RIDGE. 



1782. Her name was Experience. The 
house he had prepared for their residence 
was, and a part of it may be now, standing 
east of Lovell Morse's. On the 31st, of Au-- 
gust, 1732, was born at this place. Experi- 
ence Dennison, daughter of James and 
Experience Dennison, and the first child 
born in Sturbridge, or "in this place," as 
the old record states it. This daughter was 
their only child, and she was afterwards 
married to Capt. Ralph Wheelock who will 
be more particularly mentioned. Mr. Den- 
nison lived at the place before described un- 
til his death, the time of which I have not 
been able to ascertain. 

The next person to be noticed is Col. 
Moses Marcy. He was born in Woodstock, 
probably about the year 1700. Knowing 
that lie was born in Woodstock and that he 
must have resided there nearly 30 years, 
I conclude that Woodstock was settled more 
than 30 years before this place. Mr. Marcy 
came to this place in Oct., 1732, and first re- 
sided for several years on the north side of 
the river, somewhere between the bridge 
and the interval. Previous to 1740 he re- 
moved to the place where Jedediah Marcy 
now lives, and about that time erected the 
house which is now there, though it has 
been covered since and probably altered 
and improved otherwise. This was the 
first upright house built in town. 

Col. Marcy was married in 1723 to Miss 
Trudence Morris. There were some things 
rather romantic in those days as well as in 
modern times, in matters of love, courtship, 
and marriage. The parents of Miss Pru- 
dence did not like the proposed connexion 
between Mr. Marcy and their daughter and 
in order to secure her effectually against h's 
visits, they shut her up in a chamber. But 
as much as they might thmk they had 
raised her above him they did not get her 
quite high enough. He went in the night 
with a stick or fishing rod, and knocked 
gently on the window where he had ascer- 
tained she was confined, a summons to 
which she immediately attended by opening 
the window. At this interview it was agreed 
that he should depart out of the neighbor- 
hood to a place called Pim'ico, and she was 
to prevail on her parents, her lover being 
gone, and no longer any danger, to permit 
her to go to Pimlico to visit her friends. 



This she effected on condition that the 
maid servant of the house should accompa- 
ny her, to which she had no objection. She 
made severa' of these visits, and it need 
hardly be told to those wlio know the art 
and perseverance of true lovers, that at 
these visits means were contrived to carry 
on the courtship, and that the result ^as 
Miss Prudence became the wife of Mr. 
Marcy. 

(Jol, Marcy was for 18 years town clerk in 
Southbridge, and by reason of his particular 
care in recording the births of all his chil- 
dren, both date and place, I am enabled to 
ascertain some facts in his life ■which I 
could not otherwise obtain. 

He had 11 children, 4 sons and 7 
daughters ; 5 born in Woodstock — the last 
July 1, 1732, 2 in Oxford — that is on the 
other side of the river, and 4 at the place 
now owned by Jedediah Marcy. One of 
his sons, Jedediah, lived in Dudley. He 
was father of the late Capt. Jedediah Mar- 
cy, jr., of th's town. The last named was 
father of William Marcy, etc., governor of 
New York. Another son, Elijah, lived at 
the Brown mills, and was killed by a fall at 
the grist mill, according to the Sturbridge 
record, Feb. 1, 1779. From this son are de- 
scended Lemuel Marcy, father of Dwight 
S. Marcy. One other son, Daniel, lived 
first on the south side of the road near the 
Columbian pond, and afterwards lived 
and died at the place owned by Jacob 
Oakes. He was fathei of the late Morris 
Marcy of this town; of this other son, 
Moses, I do not know the history. One of 
the daughters married Richard Dresser, 
grandfather to Harvey Dresser. One mar- 
ried William Plimpton, one Dr. Babbit, 
sen., oneGershom Plimpton, sen., one Gen. 
Timothy Newell, one Jonathan Newell of 
Leicester ; the other daughter died at the 
age of nine years. 

For business enterprise, and accumula- 
tion of prope. i.y, Col. Marcy was undoubted- 
ly the first man in the place. He acquired 
a large amount of land, whiclf after many 
divisions and sub-divisions has descended 
with greatly increased value to some of his 
posterity.* 
He was also a man of much influence in 



*He built the first ni'lls near ibis village, and 
at the Nathan Brown place. 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



41 



public affairs. From 1738 to 17G2 lie was ' 
for 24 years moderator at every annual ' 
town meeting, 25 years one of the select- ! 
men, 8 years treasurer, and 18 years town 
clerk, and the first representative to the 
general court, in 1700. He died Oct. 9, 1779, ' 
not having lived to participate in the 
general joy of the nation, at the glorious 
termination of the revolutionary war. 

There are but few of the first settlers of 
whom I have learned many particulars, as 
their families, characters etc., or as to 
the time when they commenced ; of course 
they can only be mentioned in connection 
with the place where they resided. 

The first resident immediately in the vil- 
lage was Samuel Freeman, father of Col. 
Benjamin Freeman. He resided at the 
house above the elm trees, or rather at the 
place where that house stands, it having 
since been altered and enlarged. He was 
a blacksmith, and did all the custom work 
for several miles around. His shop was on 
a part of the ground now occupied by the 
new tavern. He began about 174.5, and 
died Dec. 31, 1772. His son Benjamin was 
also a blacksmith and kept the first tavern 
in this place, at the house now occupied by 
Luther Ammidown, (unless his father had 
kept a tavern before which I do not know. ) 

Most of the land in this village and for 
some disiance on all sides remained in the 
hands of the d'-scendants of Col. Marcy 
and Mr. Freeman until some time since 
1801, and prior to that time no additions of 
buildings were made. 

The first settlement of the Globe village 
was made, as near as I can ascertain, by 
Aaron Martin, at the place of the late Maj 
Samuel Fiske, some time about or before 
1738. He was drowned in attempting to 
ford the river, March 11, 1751. There was 
no bridge at that time and the place of 
crossing was some distance below the 
present bridge. 

The water privilege at this village was 
first occupied by Gershom Plimpton, He 
was born in Medfield, January 14, 
1733-4, and came to this place in 1753. He 
came on foot with his pack, gun, and am- 
munition, etc., and on his way killed two 
partridges which he sold to pay his first 
night's entertainment after his arrival. He 
was a clothier by trade and erected works 



for that business on the south side of the 
road. He lived several years in a part of 
his clothing shop, and afterwards built at 
the place now owned by Henry Plimpton, 
the house being a part of that now standing. 
He afterwards built a grist mill, which was 
coniinued at that place until 1814. In 
1758, March 2nil,lie married to Martha Mar- 
cy, daughter of Moses Marcy, as has been 
before mentioned. He was fond of hunt- 
ing and fishing, always kept one or more 
hounds, and occasionally went on hunting 
excursions almost to the last jjeriod of his 
life, but never was anxious to increase his 
property. He at first purchased about 100 
acres of land, and made no addiiionto it 
afterwards. He died January 27, 1808, 
with the reputation of a benevolent and 
honest man. 

There were many incidents in his life 
which would illustrate the progress of set- 
tlement, etc., at the time, but lean mention 
only one. Some years after he began, 
probably about 1756, there was nothing but 
a foot f)ath from this place to the old Col. 
Cheney house ( so called ) which was near the 
place of Larkin Ammidown" s factory. 
Coming from Col. Cheney's in the evening, 
and when near the place of the Columbian 
factory, he heard the howling of wolves, 
not far from him, and he supposed they had 
seen or smelled him and were collecting to 
pursue him . It may be imagined that his 
speed was soon increased to its maximum, 
and being very active and swift of foot, he 
in a few minutes reached Mr. Freeman's in 
this village, and the wolves had to make 
other provision for their supper. 

The place on the hill now occupied by 
Thomas N. Harding was commenced by 
Jonathan Perry, from Watertown, some 
years before 1738. After he purchased and 
had made some improvements he returned 
to Watertown, having planted some corn, 
etc., for a crop in the fall. . On returning to 
this land he furnished himself with half a 
bushel of Indian meal, some powder and 
shot intending to procure game for meat, 
and to have some bread or Johnny cake to 
subsist upon till his crops came m. These 
articles he brought on his back from Water- 
town and anticipated a comfortable living, 
but imagine his disappointment when he 
arrived and laid down his cumbrous 



42 



HISTOEY OF SOUTH BRIDGE. 



pack on opening which he found his pow- 
der had broken loose from tlie paper and 
got thorouglily mixed with his meal and so 
compounded that tliey could not be separat- 
ed. It wovild make poor ammunition, and 
the life of many a partridge and rabbit was 
saved by this accident, but still he conclud- 
ed it would do for bread, and as for meat 
he could get some from the river, and sus- 
tained by his fortitude and industry he got 
along comfortably through the season. He 
returned to Watertown for several winters 
until he got ready for housekeeping, when 
he married Martha Morse, daughter of 
Joseph Morse. 

The house which he built was burned 
about the year 1805, being then owned by 
the youngest son, Jonathan, and this is the 
only dwelling house I have ever known to 
have been burned in this town. 

The place now owned by John McKinstry, 
as was also the land of Henry Plimpton, 
was first owned by Hezekiah Ward of 
youthborough, probably the same person I 
formerly mentioned as being one of the first 
petitioners for the grant. William McKin- 
stry, grandfather of John McKinstry, pur- 
chased of Mr. Ward, January I'l, 1748. He 
was born in Ireland, Oct. 0, 1722, in 1741 en- 
listed on board a merchant vessel to sail 
from Liverpcjol to Boston, at 20 shillings per 
month, payable on his return, and 18 shil- 
lings advanced as bounty. He landed at 
Boston, August 15th, and not liking his 
service and the treatment he received 
from his captain, he nsolveJ to remain in 
New England, and on the 25th of August 
follovved a country's team out of the town, 
whence he proceeded to Med field. He was 
suspected as a runaway and found no one 
to encourage him till he arrived at the house 
of William Plimpton, father of Gershom 
Plimpton before mentioned, who received 
him into his family, treated him kindly,and 
employed him to labor on his farm 7 years. 
The kindness and hospitality he received 
from Mr. Plimpton were gratefully remeui. 
bered, and so often and particularly spoken 
of that all the circumstances have lived in 
the memory of his descendants who still 
participate in the feelings of their ancestor. 

Mr. McKinstry at first lived for some 
years in a kind of log hut such as the young 
men of that time used for their dwellinirs 



when they kept "Bachelor's hall." It 
was situated west of the road towards the 
brook, and he had for his companion Capt. 
Ralph Wheelock, who first began and 
cleared a few acres on the north part of the 
farm now owned by Henry Plimpton. Mr. 
Wheelock afterwards in March, 1758, sold to 
Gershom Plimpton, having January 24th, 
1751, married the only daughter of James 
Dennison, being as before stated the first 
child born in the town. Mr. McKinstry 
was married to Mary Morse, daughter of 
Joseph Morse, January 30th, 1751, and died 
Nov. 12, 1795, aged 73. 

As a specimen of agricultural experi- 
ments it may be mentioned that Mr. Mc- 
Kinstry and Mr . Wheelock thought it would 
be an improvement to their crop of corn, to 
manure the hills with dry leaves, but after 
waiting anxiously to witness the result in a 
rapid growth, they found it did not come up, 
as the term is, the leaves having rather 
strong ami-vegetating qualiiies. They of 
course were under the necessity of digging 
up the corn, taking out the leaves, and 
waiting till late in the season or until 
another year for an improved, or even an 
ordinary crop of corn. 

Mr. Wheelock inherited a considerable 
portion of the land of Mr. Dennison. He 
was for many years treasurer of the town of 
Sturbridge. His life was extended far be 
yond those of his associates, the first settlers 
of the town. He had seen the acts of four 
generations, and was the last of his race. 
He died Dec. 28, 1822, at the age of 06, and 
at or near the place where his father in law 
Dennison had resided. 

His first wife died Oct. 12, 1766, and he 
married Experience Crany, Sept. 12, 1766. 
The number of his children was 15, and 
yet for so large a number, but few of them 
or their descendants are in this vicinity. 

The place owned by Capt . Samuel New- 
ell was fiist begun by Isaac Johnson, a 
mechanic, who bought one acre of Jonathan 
Perry. It afterwards was owned by dif- 
ferent parties and Doctor James WolcoLt 
once lived there. 

The farm of Peter Dugar was first set- 
tled by his father, Charles Inigar, who was 
a son of Daniel Dugar. The latter was a 
Frenchman, and came to this place from 
Nova Scotia in the time of the old French 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



43 



war, not wishing to engage In the war, but 
remaining neutral. In those days it is said 
that very many foreigners who arrived in 
this cotmtiy Avere in a habit of calling upon 
Col. Marcy as a kind of patron and protecl- 
or, he being of Irish descent. Daniel Dugar 
came with his family to Col. Marcy's and 
lived in a part of his mill for several years. 
At the termination of hostilities between 
France and England, in which the latter 
acquired possession of Canada, the king 
made a grant of land to all the French who 
had been neutral during the war. Old Mr. 
Dugar, preferring the language and society 
of his own countrymen, returned to Cana- 
da with all his family except his son Charles, 
whom no entreaties, temptations, or 
threats could induce to return with the 
family; they even took all his wages he 
had earned dm-ing this season in working 
for Col. Cheney, and all his clothes except- 
ing those he wore, hoping thereby to in- 
duce him to follow them; but he would 
not go. The fact was he had fallen in 
love with Miss Sarah Chubb, and as he 
expressed it,, "I would not leave my Sarah 
f eg: father, mother, brothers, and sisters"; 
and he did not. He was married to "his 
Sarah" May 14, 1T6T; and I have no doubt 
of the truth of this relation, or of his sin- 
cere affection for Miss Chubb; for at her 
funeral I saw the old man bend over her 
corpse, and for a long time weep and give 
utterance to his grief and lamentation. 

While the family of old Mr. Dugar lived 
in Col. Marcy's mills the lads and lassies 
of that day, the children of Mr. Marcy, Mr. 
Truman, etc., used to have jolly times in 
visiting the family of the '"old Frenchman" 
as he was called ; and many a winter even- 
ing was passed off with such plays and 
amusements as were fashionable at that 
time; and the friendship then contracted 
was afterwards maintained between these 
families and Mr. Charles^ Dugar. One of 
the daughters of Col. Maicy, wife of Gen, 
Newell, always continued her visits to Mr. 
Dugar's, in some of the earliest of which, 
to show the custom of those times com- 
pared with the luxury and refinement of 
the present day, it may be stated that she 
occasionally took a social drink with her 
old friend in the shell of a (jootte e;/</, in- 
stead of our double flint cut glass tumblers. 



Mr. Dugar had to pay for his land the 
second time, the first title not being good — 
as was the case in many instances in Charl- 
ton; yet he by industry and perseverance 
acquired and paid for a good farm, and 
was respected and esteemed as a good 
neighbor, generous to the poor, and always 
a social companion, 

I now pass to the village called Weslville. 
That settlement was commenced sometime 
about or previous to 1738, at two places; 
one now owned by Tristram S. Wheelock, 
by Dea. Edward Foster. He was grand- 
father of the present Alpheus and Elias 
Foster — was one of the first deacons of the 
church in Sturbridge. He prepared the 
first water privilege at that place some dis- 
tance above the present dam. He died 
Feb. 9, 1775. The other person was Dan- 
iel Plimpton, father of the late Capt. Elias 
and Lieut. John Plimpton; and his house 
was at the place of the widow of Elias 
Plimpton. He died June 10, 1777. 

The place of Capt. Abel Mason was be- 
gun by his grandfather, Jonathan Morse 
from Dedham, in 1738. I think a small 
beginning was made before by Mr. David 
Morse, as I find a deed from the latter to 
the former at that time, of land '"with a 
dwelling house." 

From a person who some years since had 
an intei'view with the late Capt. Abel Ma- 
son, Sen., for the purpose of making in- 
quiries, I have the following facts: 

When Mr. Jonathan Mason first came to 
the place bears, wolves and deer were 
numerous, and made depredations upon 
the flocks of cattle and sheep and fields of 
grain. The people were in the habit of 
attending meeting at all times when it was 
iwssible fo go. Mr. Mason, and those in 
his neighborhood, had to travel o or G miles 
througli the woods and ford the Quinebaug 
in the summer; and they sometimes felled 
trees across to pass upon, which would re- 
main until carried off by freshets. In win- 
ter the men of one neighborhood assem- 
bled early and by the aid of snow shoes, 
or rackets, beat a track — all going single 
iile. The women and children would fol- 
low and mothers oft^'u carried young chil- 
dren in their arms. The farm of Dea. Ja- 
son Morse was commenced by Mr. Joseph 
Morse who came from Sherburn. He was 



44 



HISTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE. 



grandfather of the present Jason Morse. 

The other first settlers in that part of the 
town were John Marsh, where Grosvenor 
Marsh resitles ; Samuel Ellis, at the place 
of Dwight S. Marcy; Joshua Harding, at 
the farm of Ralph Harding; William Hat- 
field, at the place now owned by John 
Marsh; Joseph Mason, at Sylvanus Cham- 
berlain's. 

In other parts of the town the first inhab- 
itants were Hinsdale Clarke, at Isaac A. 
Newell' s ; Moses Clarke, at Lemuel Clark's ; 
Roland Clarke, at Jos-ph Clark's; Benja- 
min Dix, at the place now owned by Mr. 
Jackson, (but he bought after some im- 
provements of John Pike); Ichabod Rob- 
bins began at the place of Moses Mason ; 
Elijah Harding at the place of Lieut. Oli- 
ver Mason, and on the Parker Morse hill, 
Martin Spencer, Sen., was one of the first; 
Comfort Searle bought at the Baylies place 
after some improvements by Mr. Jackson. 

At the east part of the town near the late 
Luther Ammidown's, Phillip Ammidown 
began about the year 1760, having moved 
there from another part near the Cheney 
farm. He was father of Caleb Ammidown, 
Esq., who died a few years before the par- 
ish was formed, and about the time the 
meeting house was built. Elisha Sabin 
began at the place of the late John Ammi- 
down, now owned by Lewis Ammidown. 
He served in the French war. 

At the south-east part of the town which, 
was settled at a later period than the other 
parts, the first inhabitants were Joseph 
Ammidown, father of the present Cyrus 
Ammidown, and brother of Caleb. He 
lived at the place formerly owned by 
Cyrus Ammidown, which he purchased 
nearly new in 1779. Jeremiah Morse, 
father of Alpheus Morse, began at the 
place now owned by Alpheus, in 1764; Eph- 
raim Bacon began at the place of his late 
residence at about the same time; Henry 
Pratt at the place of Freeman Pratt; Dea. 
Daniel Morse, at his late residence; Joseph 
Barret, at the old house east of the road 
between Corbin Lyon's and Daniel Morse's 
— all these began new some years after. 
Asa Morse, father of Parker Morse, first 
began east of Daniel Morse's and after- 
wards moved to the place where he died, 
on the hill. James Dyer began at Corbin 



Lyon's; Moses Marcy, grandson of the first 
settler, began at the Luther Smith place. 

One of the first, and a very early inhabi- 
tant, was Col. Thomas Cheney, who be- 
gan at a place near Larkin Ammidown's 
factory. He was a large land holder, a 
distinguished public man. He had no 
children, but brought up his nephew, the 
late Thomas Cheney, to whom he left a 
considerable part of his property. The 
place of the late Caleb Ammidown, on 
which his widow now lives, was com- 
menced by Benjamin Stone. 

The section near Elisha Morris's was 
formerly inhabited by negroes and was 
called New Guinea . 

I have thus named most of the first set- 
tlers of this town, and with a few facts 
connected with the history of the two Mr. 
Fiskes, I trust I shall be ready to close and 
relieve your patience. 

Henry and Daniel Fiske first came from 
Watertown in 1731. The lot of Henry 
was drawn near Bookfield, but he did not 
like it, and purchased on the hill near 
the land of his brother, and towards the 
south end of the hill. While chopping 
on a, still clear day he heard the sound of 
an axe to the south of him, not knowing 
of any person located in that direction, ar 
the other person also heard his axe, be; 
on the south side of the river; they boi 
proceeded towards the sounds they had 
heard to the bank of the river, each fell 
a tree for a bridge, by means of which 
they met. The other person was James 
Dennison, and the acquaintance thus com- 
menced was kept up by subsequent inter- 
course. 

Henry and Daniel Fiske lived together 
near the house now owned by the Uphams 
on Fiske hill, and did their own cooking 
seven years. They went to Brookfield on 
Saturday night to get their washing done. 
They were very industrious, hard working 
men, and in order not to lose time in cook- 
ing they usually boiled a pot of beans at 
night which answered for their supper and 
breakfast, and probably, dinner. On one 
occasion a high Avind blew a large stone 
from the top of the chimney which fell 
upon their pot of beans, and broke it in 
pieces, spilling the contents into the fire 
— deranging their regular meals for a 



IITSTOT^Y OF SOUTIIBRIDGE. 



45 



(lay or Iwo. 

VVliPii thoso men coiiuiioiiocd thoy found 
two jilacosat which wore tlio remains of 
Indian corn hills; one near where they 
first buili their lints, the other on tlie north 
side of the hill below Joshna Mason's. 
These were the only places where traces of 
Indian agriculture were found . 

Henry Fiske was born in 1707, died 17i*0. 
They had sixteen children each; tlie only 
one of Henry's now living in this vicinity 
is Capt vSinieon Fiske, from whom I have 
obtaiiled many of tlie materials for this 
narrative. He is now 81 years old . 

Daniel Fiske was born in 1709 and died 
in 177S of the small pox, which he took 
while in Boston as a representative of Stur- 
bridge. Of the children of Daniel Fiske 
there ar(> now five daughters living — the 
oldest 7S and youngest 70 years of age. and 
all able to do a great proportion of the 
work in their families. 

The facts which I have in a very long, 
and no doubt tiresome discourse, endeav- 
ored to lay before you. would furnish a 



heme for much comment. I intended to 
lo^e with some reflection — comparing the 
past with the present and urging upon the 
gentlemen now in active life, the youth in 
liarticular, the importance of guarding 
against the thousand dangers incident to a 
growing and dense population, but this 
cannot be attempted. I will only thank 
you foi- the patience with which you have 
attended to my remarks, and ask pai-don 
for the tax upon your time, and conclude 
by saying that if any information I have 
communicated shall be of any value in pro- 
portion to the time and trouble it has cost 
me in preparing it, I shall be satisfied . 

iS'DTE 1852.— The foregoiup; was written under 
an appointment for a particular time, made and 
accepted witliout a due consideration of the 
lalior and searcnine of records, etc , which 
would he required. The time heing; insufficient 
for the work, it is crude and imperfeet in 
matter and arrangfraent and hiving; heen tak- 
en to Burlinaton, Vt., New York, Albany and 
other places for perusal iiy friends and rela- 
tives of my own and other names, among 
whom were G. W. Newell, Esq., Gov. Marcy, 
eti!., who kept it a long time. It has with its 
other deficiencies quite an antiquarian appear- 
ance. M. p. 



APPENDIX. 



SKETCH OF MR. PLIMPTON 



Mo.ses Plimpton was born in thai part of 
Stnrbridge, Mass., which subsequently be- 
came Southbridge. His parents were (iler- 
shom Plimpton and Keziah Plimpton, 
daughter of Deacon Daniel Fisk of >Stur- 
bridge. He married Edna Taylor, tiaugli- 
ter of John Taylor of Stnrbridge, Nov. 22, 
1821. Seven children were born . 

In his nineteenth year Mr Plimpton 
taught a district school in the town of Mon- 
son, and in the winters following in Charl- 
ton and Stnrbridge. He was elected town 
clerk of Southbridge in 1820 and held the 
office for several years. He was also for 
many years a mendjer of the school com- 
mittee. In politics he was a whig, and was 
quite active in the military service of the 
State. He was a member of a battalion of 
artillery, 1st brigade, 6th division; was 
made sergeant in 1821, commissioned lieu- 
tenant by Gov. Eustis, in 1823 and by Gov. 
Lincoln, liromoted to the captaincy in 1829. 

He was engaged agreatei' par.L of his life 
in manufacturing and from 1821 until 1844 
was one of the proprietors of the Columbi- 
an cotton mills, which in the latter year 
were destroyed by tire. 

For some time after this he carried on 
the Westville nulls, but left Southbridge in 
1849 and removed toDracutand from there 
to Somerville, having received a custom 
house appointment in July of that year. 
He resigned his situation upon the election 
of Franklin Pierce to the presidency. He 
last resided on Tremont street in Boston . 

His death was caused by injuries received 
by being violently knock,ed down while at- 
tempting to cross Washington street in 
Boston. He was taken to his home where 



he died the following night, September 19, 
1854. 

In addition lo being a prominent citizen 
and leaditig mannlacturer, Mr. Plimpton 
was a discriminating reader and was, judi- 
cious in the selection of books; many that 
he has left in possession of liis children are 
of that character which treat upon the prac- 
tical questions of tlie times rather than the 
lighter topics. 

lie was particularly well read in iH)lilical 
economy andwas a strong bcdiever in a tar- 
if for the protection of our home industry. 
Taking an active interest in whatevei' con- 
cerned the welfare of the conimuniiy, he 
was one of the foi'cmost in [jronioting Ihe 
cause of temperance ami he ilelivered lec- 
tures upon this as well as on oMier topi' s. 
He aided in establishing lyceums, as th'-y 
were called in his day, and debating socie- 
ties and became a member of the W^orces- 
ter Agricnlinral Society in Is.i'.i. 

In Holmes Ammidown's Ilistorical ( ol- 
lections we find the following: 

" Diirii'g a period of forty years, from 
his early nnmhood few, if any, e\- 
ert(Ml a greater or more benelicial inllu- 
en(;e, in this town than he. To the cause 
of temperance, schools, lyceums and rcilig- 
ion, and in fact to all objects, the design 
of which was the elevation of the people 
and society about him, he gave his atten- 
tion and active support. Although not hav- 
ing the advantage of a collegiate education 
yet he may be properly called an educated 
num." 

COKUKCTIONS. 

In March. IS'-iij, Mr. I'limpton delivered 
what he called ''three lectures," before the 



HISTORY OF SOUTIIl'.HIIKJE. 



47 



Soutlibridgf Lyceum or Literary Associa- 
lioii, Uic original uiamisoript of vvliicli was 
fur along linu! considered lost, but which 
was finally fo'inid at tlie rooms of the New 
England Historic (Genealogical Society, of 
which he hecanu' a member two years be- 
fore his death. On its disc very a copy was 
made for the above mimed society and the 
original given to Mr. Plimpton's family. 
The typ(^ for the within I'e print was set 
from the copy kindly loaned us by the His- 
torical (JeiH^alogical Socieiy. 

.\fter the conclusion of the work, ilirough 
the courtesy of Manning Leonard, JCsc]., we 
wine able to have the reprint compared with 
the original. This comparison disclosed 
the following ei'rata.. Wti are indebted to 
Hohnes Aniniidown foi' the engraving of 
Mr. I'iinipton in this volunn;. 
Page 1. col. 2, line liO, for gulf of Lawrence 
read gulf of St. Larvjence. 

•■ '). col 1, line "AS. for legislatinn read 
legislature. 

■' -1, col. 2, line J2. for(Jeoriies read Geo- 

IJCS. 

'■ 7, col. I. line 1, for ihe othej's read an- 
other. 

■■ 7. col. 1, line l,s, insi-ri mi-igcd after 
soon. 

'■ 7, col. I. line lit, loiijf Plymouth lead 
at Plymouth. 

" 7, col. 2, line 4, for ihcii- chai'ter read 
lb '. charter. 

* s. col I, line li;, for Kid:; ic^ad H'M. 

" S, col 1. lin(! •]4, for ('orporation lead 

in corpora'ion 
'• S, col. 2, line 2'.». for ihc incoijiura- 

tiou ic id i s incorporaiioii. 
" '.». col. 1. lint' '■')■',. for (•hainnen read 

chainmen. 
" !>, col. 2, line IT), insert liust before 

jtrojcciors. 
•' It, col. 2. line 2,s. for wijucn i-cad 

within. 
" 10, col. f, line -J'.t, for an^ljiing read 

anywav. 
" 11. col. 1. line '12, for 17:;i read 17;J8. 
" n, col. 1. line :"! ). instead ot .Shuball 

Learned read Sbuball (Joi-Jiani. 

Thomas Learned. 

• 11. col. L line 40, add Samuel Ellis. 

'• II. col. I, foot note, insert and after 
Daniel. 



Page 11, col. 2, line 4, for UW, read 1723. 

" II, col 2, line 22, for Marriam read 
Miriiam. 

■■ 11, col. 2, line 2.s, (;omma after gr. 
father, and no paragraph. The sen- 
tence should eiul with the words 
centre of Soutlibridge in the line 
bel(»w. 

■' II, col 2, foot note, line ."i. for P. 2o4 
read P. 2;J(). 

" 12, Ctrl. 1, line 5, for D. Oliver read 
Doliver. 

■■ 12. <-ol. I, line 27, insert of between 
s. and .Joseph. 

■■ l;], col. 2, line 4!», for this town read 
the town. 

■' l;J, col. 2, line •")1, for informed read 
informers 

■' 14, col. 1, line 20, add after the word 
second. .Similar law pass' d in Conn. 
lli;!U. 

■' 14, col. I, line 40, omit the. 

'■ V>, col 1. line 10, omit for. 

■' li), col. 1, line ^)i for into read unto. 

•' It), col. 1, line 48, for their read the. 

" 10. col. 2, line 4, omit same 

■' 17, col. 2, line -'.l. insert therefore 

attcr matters. 
■■ 17, col. 1, line 4iS. transpose the and 

ta.\. 
'■ l.s, col. 2. line -jI, foi- i)m-yiiig grounds 

read the singular. 
■' 10. col. 1, line ;;2. omit the lirst 

young 
'" 10, col. 2. line -Vjt. for Rubin read 

Reubin. 
■■ 20, c(j|. 2, line 27, foi' reiue-entatives 

ri ad the singular. 
■■ 21, c.<>\ 2. line ;!". for measure read 

measures. 

■■ 22. col. I. line 10, omit was. 

■' 2."1, col. 1. line 2, for rules read re- 
sol \t's. 

•■ 2;;. col. I, line 2(1, for Roiibiiig read 
Robbins. 

■' 2;], col. I, line 42, for their read this. 

■' 2.";, col. 2. line 1. insert to do after 

nothing. 
■ 24. col. 1. After the name Capt. 
IlchiyClark in the 2-Jd line, a por- 
tion of the 2X\h and 20th pages 
should l)e insertiHl, beginning with 
the words "In 1787, December . '5, " 



48 



HISTORY OF SOUTH BRIDGE. 



etc., and ^ndins; with "and Joseph 

Shaw's." 
Page 24. col. 1, Une 5:5, insert quotation 

mark before 1st. 
" 24, col. 2, line 21t, insert quotation 

mark after mouri ers. 
" 25, col. 1, line 4, for repn ration read 

separation. 
" 25, col. 2, line Kl, for r)a\id read 

Daniel. 
" 25, col. 2, line 18, for Ebcnezer read 

Eleazer. 
" 26, col. 1, line ;>(>, after a<;reeable in- 
sert to the subjects ot it, we might 

look forward. 
" 2(3, col. 1, line 45, omit selvi^s. 
" 26, col. 2, line s, for Paul Rick read 

Paul Rich. 
" 27, col. 1, line 12, insert all before 

obstacles. 
" 27, col 1, line ;]1, for deserves read 

discovers. 
" 28, col. 2, line 2:5. foi- Dugan read 

Dugar. 
'• 28, col. 2, line 24, for Dugan read 

Dugar. 
" 28, col. 2, line 25, foi' Dugan read 

Dugar. 
" 28, col. 2, line 3:5, should follow 

•'Capt. Henry Clark,'" page 24. 
" 29, col. 2, line ;55, insert quotation 

mark before considerable. 
'• 31, col. 1, line 13, insert semicolon 

after Perry, and change were to was 

in the line Ijelow. 
" ?,2, col. 1, line 23, visits should be 

singular. 
" 32, col. 1, line 2S, insert of live after 

committee. 
" 38, col. 1, line 51, for 18.52 read 1822. 
" 33, col. 2, line 23, for one-sixth read 

one-sixteenth. 
" 33, add to the foot note, "and it has 

for years been almost forgotten." 
" 34. col. 1, line 2, insert after district 



"called the Ammidown dislric'.'" 
Page:!4, col. 2, line 22, for P^u'ver read 

Turner. 
" 34, col. 2, line 20, for Daniel Marten 

lead David Martin. 
" ;j5, col. 1, line 21), for Member read 

Munger, after wrangling. 
" 35, col. 2, line 37, Add "and the rash 

contention of demagogues." 
" ;!(), col. 1, line 10, for Rev. Henry I. 

Lamb, read Rev. Henry J. Lamb. 
" ;!7, col. 2. line 11, for death read 

deaths. 
" ;56. col. 2, line 13 for iidiabitanls read 

intermenls. 
■• 36, col. 2, line ;!S, insert he before 

commenced. 

" ;J7, col. 1, line 41, for Zeba, read Ziba. 

■• ;!7. col. 1, line 43, insert was after it. 

" ;>7, col. 2. line 17, for the read this. 

" 37, col. 2, line 40, for out read account. 

" 37, col. 2. line 40, for .losiah I. Fiske, 

read Josiah J. Fiske. 

Same line, for P>ances read Francis. 
" :!S, col. 2, line 29, omit comma and add 

each after horses. 
" 39, coll. 1, line 8, for association read 

plural. 
" ;>9, col. 1, line .50, for I read P. 
" 40, col. 2, line 12, forSouthbridge, read 

Sturbridge. 
•' 40, col. 2, line 36, for this other son 

read the other son. 
" 41, col. 2, line 46, for this read his. 
" 42, col. 1, line 38, insert man's after 

country. 
" 42, col. 2, line 19, insert "they accord- 
ingly planted their corn upon leaves." 
" 42, col. 2, line 39, for Oct. 12, 1776 

read Oct. 21, 1765. 
*' 43, col. 1, line 38, for Truman, read 

Freeman. 
" 43, col. 2, line o4, for have read learn. 
" 44, col. 2, line 34, for fell read felled. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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